Hospital LED Lighting Guide & Standards

LED lighting for hospitals and healthcare facilities has become the preferred lighting technology due to its high-quality illumination, energy efficiency, and long lifespan. However, there are other types of lighting options chosen as well. Let’s understand the different types:

LED Lights

For hospital lighting, LED technology has significant advantages. It does not need as much air conditioning or ventilation because it generates less heat than conventional lighting. With the proper levels of illumination and color temperature, LED lighting may be tailored to the unique requirements of various sections inside a hospital.

In operating rooms and surgical suites, where bright lighting is crucial, LED lighting is perfect. To provide precise viewing of tissues and organs, LED surgical lights deliver bright, white light that has been color-corrected. Moreover, LED surgical lights contain capabilities that may be adjusted for brightness, focus, and color temperature to suit the requirements of various surgeries.

Moreover, LED lighting is appropriate for hallways and patient rooms, where comfort and safety are crucial. For patients, LED lighting can be set to simulate natural daylight, creating a relaxing and healing environment.

Fluorescent Lighting

Due to its high energy efficiency and low cost, fluorescent lighting was previously the lighting technology that hospitals utilized the most frequently. Fluorescent lighting, however, has several drawbacks, such as poor color rendering, flicker, and glare, which can lead to headaches and discomfort in the eyes.

In some hospital spaces, such as storage rooms and maintenance facilities, where color rendering and visual comfort are not crucial, fluorescent lighting is still in use. Moreover, fluorescent lighting can be employed in locations that prioritize energy efficiencies, such as parking lots and outdoor spaces.

Incandescent Lighting

Due to its high energy consumption and brief lifespan, incandescent lighting has mostly been replaced by the LED lighting as the dominant lighting technology for hospitals. In specific locations of a hospital, incandescent lighting might pose a safety risk due to its high heat output.

Incandescent lighting for hospitals and healthcare facilities is still utilized in a few decorative fixtures like chandeliers and other items where appearance is important. LED lighting, on the other hand, may produce the same decorative impact while benefiting from energy efficiency and a longer lifespan.

Although there are many other hospital lighting alternatives, in recent years LED lighting has emerged as the industry standard for hospitals. In some hospital sections, incandescent and fluorescent lights are still in use. However, their usage has been replaced by LED lighting.

Why do hospitals use LED lights?

There are several reasons why hospitals and healthcare facilities opt for LED lights instead of other previously popular options. Some of the leading reasons for the popularity of LED hospital lighting near Raliegh, NC are as follows: 

• Illuminance Levels: For different areas inside hospitals, the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) recommends specific illuminance levels. These levels are determined by the physical activity occurring in each location and are expressed in foot candles. For instance, surgery suites require more lighting than waiting for areas or hallways.
• Color Rendering Index (CRI): A light source’s capacity to faithfully render colors is measured by the Color Rendering Index (CRI). To provide correct color separation during medical procedures, hospital lighting needs to have a high CRI. For hospital lighting, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) suggests a CRI of at least 80.
• The uniformity ratio calculates how evenly the lighting is distributed in a specific region. For hospital lighting, the IES suggests a uniformity ratio of 0.7 at the very least. This eliminates any dim or overly bright patches that can be uncomfortable or tire your eyesight.
• Flicker and Glare: In vulnerable people, flicker and glare can induce eye pain and even set off migraines or seizures. To maintain the security and comfort of both patients and employees, hospital lighting must have minimal flicker and glare levels. For hospital lighting, the IES advises a flicker percentage of less than 30% and a glare index of less than 19.
• Energy Efficiency: Because hospitals use a lot of energy, energy efficiency is essential. The most energy-efficient alternative for hospitals is LED lighting, which can use up to 75% less electricity than conventional lighting. Using lighting controls like occupancy sensors and daylight sensors will help hospitals cut their energy usage even more.
• Maintenance: Hospitals need lighting that is long-lasting and simple to maintain. Compared to conventional lighting, LED lighting lasts longer and needs less upkeep. By selecting fixtures with replaceable parts, hospitals can also cut maintenance costs.
• Compliance with Standards: Hospitals must ensure that their lighting systems comply with the recommended standards and guidelines for various parameters. Choosing LED lights for healthcare facilities that comply with these standards can provide a safe and comfortable environment.
• Longer Lifespan: Compared to older lighting technologies, which have a short lifespan and frequently need to be replaced, LED lighting has a far longer life duration. Depending on their quality and usage, LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours or more. While LED lighting requires less frequent replacement and maintenance than conventional lighting technologies, hospitals can use it to lower maintenance expenses and downtime.
• Reduced Heat Generation: LED lighting system emits less heat than older lighting technologies, which eases the strain on HVAC systems and enhances the quality of indoor air. This is especially significant in medical settings where good air quality is essential to healing and preventing the spread of illnesses. Due to its lower heat output and lighter burden on electrical systems, LED lighting also lowers the possibility of fire threats and increases safety.
• Lighting Customization: Due to the high degree of lighting customization offered by LEDs, hospitals are now able to design their lighting systems to specifically address the requirements of various spaces and applications. To give patients as well as employees the correct level of brightness and visual comfort, hospitals can modify the LED lighting’s intensity, color temperature, and direction.

The ability of LED lighting to simulate natural sunshine has been found to benefit outcomes for patients and lessen stress and anxiety.

As part of their energy management strategy, hospitals can use LED lighting to cut expenses and energy usage while boosting sustainability. Moreover, LED lighting enhances the hospital setting and allows for a more tranquil atmosphere that calms patients.

What are medical-grade LED lights?

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare institutions often employ lighting fixtures called “medical grade LED lights” that are specifically created and manufactured for this purpose. These lights were created with precision engineering to adhere to the exacting specifications and standards of the healthcare sector. Medical-grade LED lighting has some benefits over conventional lighting systems.

They also help to lower the danger of headaches or migraines, vision problems, and visual irritation by providing a secure and comfortable environment for patients. Beyond their application for hospital lighting, some forms of medical led lighting solutions are also used for several types of therapies. Commonly these therapies include dermatological issues like eczema, psoriasis, etc.

Applications of Medical Grade LED Lights

Medical-grade led lights for healthcare facilities are used in a wide range of healthcare applications. However, two of the most common applications include the following:

• Surgical Suites and Operating Rooms: Medical-grade LED lights provide bright, uniform, and shadow-free illumination for surgical procedures, improving the accuracy and success of medical procedures. They also reduce the risk of eye strain and headaches for medical professionals.
• Examination Rooms and Diagnostic Areas: Medical-grade LED lights provide high illuminance levels for accurate diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. They also reduce visual discomfort and promote healing for patients
• Therapeutic usage: Since some LED hospital lighting near Raliegh, NC, solutions are used for therapeutic services, the light must fulfill criteria that make it suitable for such application. Blue light, Red-light, Near-Infrared Light, and Yellow light are used for various therapeutic purposes depending upon the kind of issue that needs to be resolved.

Differently colored LED lights offer different advantages, thus, are suitable for different purposes. For instance, Blue light is used for getting rid of acne-causing bacteria and helping heal the skin. On the other hand, Red light may be used to help reduce inflammation and boost the production of collagen.

Installing LED lights in the hospital

A professional task is required to install LED lights in a hospital. However, it does not imply that hospital authorities need not be aware of the right procedures. The process needs to be a little detailed and there has to be some level of customization for which the professionals would need to inquire the hospital about their specific needs. The process for led lights installation in a hospital would look something like this:

• Step 1: To install LED lighting in a hospital, the first step is to evaluate the existing lighting setup. To do this, it is necessary to assess the different kinds of lighting fixtures, the illumination levels, the color rendering, and other elements that affect the light’s quality. The new LED lighting system’s design can be influenced by this information and utilized to pinpoint areas that need improvement.
• Step 2: Next, you need to plan the design of the lighting system following the evaluation of the current lighting system. This entails taking into account the unique lighting requirements of various sections within the hospital, such as operating rooms, patient rooms, corridors, and other areas. Energy efficiency, color temperature, and the kind of lighting fixtures that will be utilized are all things that should be taken into account when designing the lighting.
• Step 3: Choosing the correct LED lighting fixtures for the hospital is the next stage. This entails assessing the offered choices in light of elements like illumination levels, color rendering, energy efficiency, and suitability with the lighting design strategy. It is crucial to pick lighting fixtures that satisfy the unique lighting needs of the various parts of the hospital and are built for usage in healthcare situations.
• Step 4: Installation inside the hospital comes next after the appropriate LED lighting fixtures have been chosen. Working with a licensed electrician is necessary to make sure the wiring and installation are secure and adhere to all applicable building laws and regulations in the area. As little disruption to hospital operations as possible should be caused by the installation process.
• Step 5: After the installation of the LED lighting fixtures, the new lighting system needs to be tested and adjusted. This entails assessing the brightness levels, color rendering, and other elements to make sure the new LED lighting system is operating properly. At this point, any necessary alterations or tweaks should be made to make sure the lighting system is ideal for the hospital’s requirements.
• Step 6: The last step is to instruct hospital employees on how to operate and maintain the new system after the new LED lighting system has been installed and tested. To address the unique lighting needs of various regions within the hospital, information must be provided on how to modify the illumination levels, color temperature, and other parameters. Moreover, instructions on how to maintain and repair the new LED lighting system should be given to the staff.