Lighting in hospitals and healthcare facilities is of great importance. Not only can proper lighting have a great impact on the comfort and relaxation of patients, but it can also greatly contribute to the better performance of hospital staff. The main goal of proper lighting in hospitals is to create a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff. But what are the principles of hospital lighting and how should this environment be lit? In this article from EDC, we have answered these questions in full.

The Importance of Lighting in Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities
Increase Accuracy: Proper lighting can increase the efficiency and accuracy of hospital staff. Operating and examination rooms require strong, shadow-free light so that surgeons and doctors can do their jobs properly.
Impact on Patients’ Mental Health: Natural light and soft lighting in inpatient rooms can increase the sense of comfort in patients.
Creating a Safe and Comfortable Environment: Proper lighting in different parts of the hospital, such as hallways and entrances, creates a safe and comfortable environment for patients and staff.
Improve sleep quality: Proper lighting can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm (biological clock) and improve the quality of sleep for patients.
Hospital Lighting Standards

Lighting standards in hospitals and medical centers should be such that they meet the different needs of these environments. These standards include light intensity, light quality, and light distribution in different parts of the hospital.

Light intensity

The light intensity in different parts of the hospital should be proportional to the activities carried out in that part. Based on global standards, the following values ​​are recommended for light intensity in different hospital areas:

Corridors and entrances: at least 100 lux
Reception area: 300 lux
Examination rooms: 500 lux
Operating rooms: 1000 to 2000 lux
Inpatient rooms: 100 to 300 lux (adjustable)
Laboratories: 750 lux

For more information, see the article How to Calculate the Amount of Light Required.

Light Quality

The quality of light in hospitals should be such that it provides comfort to patients and staff. This quality includes the following:

Light color: The use of natural white light with a color temperature of 4000 to 5000 Kelvin is recommended. This light is known as daylight and is suitable for medical environments.
Color rendering (CRI): The color rendering index should be above 80 so that colors are displayed correctly and naturally. This is especially important in operating and examination rooms.
Light distribution: The light should be uniform and without shadows so that all parts of the space are well lit.
Use of natural light

Natural light should be used in hospitals as much as possible. Large windows and transparent ceilings can direct natural light into the space. The use of adjustable curtains and shades can also control the amount of incoming light.

Glare reduction

Glare can cause eye fatigue and discomfort for patients and staff. To reduce glare, use lights with a matte finish and uniform light distribution. Also, adjusting the angle of the lights so that they do not shine directly into the eyes can prevent glare.

Emergency Lighting

In emergencies, lighting should be such that emergency exits are easy for patients and staff. Using an emergency lighting system with battery backup and illuminated exit signs can help in these situations.

Guide to Lighting Different Hospital Sections

The following is the lighting of different hospital sections and recommendations for suitable lights for each section:

Lighting of Hospital Corridors and Entrances

Corridors and entrances are among the most important parts of the hospital that need proper lighting to provide safety and easy access.

Use LED ceiling lights with uniform light distribution.
Recommended lights:
LED ceiling lights (surface and recessed)
Interior wall lights (soft light for long corridors)
Hospital reception lighting

The reception area is where patients first encounter the hospital, so proper lighting is very important.

Use general lighting and focused lighting on the reception desk.
Recommended lights:
LED ceiling lights with adjustable light intensity (surface and recessed)
Decorative lights
Desk lights for the reception desk.
Exam room renovation

Exam rooms need strong, shadow-free light.

Use focused, shadow-free lights.
Recommended lights:
LED ceiling lights with adjustable light angle (surface and recessed)
Wall lights with focused light
Portable lights for detailed examinations.
Operating room lighting

Operating rooms require very strong and uniform light to increase the accuracy of surgeons and the medical team during the operation.

Recommended lights:
Surgical lights with adjustable intensity and angle of light
LED ceiling lights with uniform light distribution
Side lights to reduce shadows.
Lighting for inpatient rooms

Inpatient rooms should have adjustable lighting so that patients can be comfortable during the day and night.

Use soft general lighting and adjustable light on the patient’s bed.
Recommended lights:
LED ceiling lights with adjustable intensity
Adjustable wall lights on the bed
Desk lights for personal use by patients.
Laboratory lighting
Use strong and uniform light.
Recommended lights:
Surface ceiling lights
Recessed ceiling lights
Focused lights on work tables
Portable lights for use in specific parts of the laboratory.
Important points in lighting hospitals and medical centers

Natural light should be used as much as possible. Natural light not only uses less energy, but also has a positive effect on the mood and health of patients.
To reduce energy consumption and increase safety, use sensor-controlled ceiling lights and motion sensors to turn lights on and off in low-traffic areas.
Patients with special needs, such as the elderly or children, may require special lighting. For these patients, the use of soft and adjustable light is recommended.
In areas where patients are stressed and anxious, such as emergency departments, the use of soft lights can help reduce the patient’s feelings of anxiety.
In addition to consuming less energy, LED lights have a longer lifespan and require fewer repairs and replacements.
Purchase lighting products for hospital lighting from EDC

As a reliable supplier of lighting products for hospitals, EDC is a safe choice for purchasing all kinds of lights, offering a 30+30 month warranty, free design and calculations, and high quality assurance. In the first 30 months after purchase, EDC products will be replaced with a new model if they fail, and in the second 30 months they will be repaired with original parts. EDC’s free lighting design and calculation services will help you make the right choice of the number and type of lights you need. EDC also offers its products with strict quality control tests and with minimalist packaging that makes it easy to carry and handle and provides access to product information via QR code. To purchase a variety of quality lighting products and receive free expert advice, you can contact EDC experts.