Philips solutions enhance ambience of heathcare facilities

Light has an amazing effect on people – visually, biologically and emotionally. When used effectively in healthcare facilities it can enhance the healing environment and play a key role in promoting the recovery and well-being of the patients.

Philips’ HealWell is a lighting solution for hospitals designed to help care providers enhance the healing environment in patient rooms. As a global leader in lighting, Philips combines its expertise with its knowledge of lighting’s impact on health, to provide the benefits of natural daylight in the patient’s room.

HealWell is designed to automatically manage a daily rhythm of light, similar to the course of light on a sunny day, promoting the sleep-wake rhythm. In the afternoon and evening, the light levels decrease gradually, enabling patients to relax and prepare for sleep, elevating wellness and patient recovery.

Positive impact: New lighting solution for patient rooms

Launched in the Middle East recently, HealWell is a comprehensive and integrated lighting solution that comprises of luminaires and controls, according to a spokesman for Philips Middle East.

“It has been developed specifically for patient rooms to address people’s natural responses to light. It provides light that is tuned to support the biological clock and creates a pleasant ambience for patients and visitors. It creates a unique healing environment to support patient recovery and improve the hospital experience,” he said.

“The uptake of this new and unique concept has been very promising so far. There is a lot of interest from the healthcare community, who understand the benefits of such solutions, and also understand the effects of lighting on the human’s physiology. Also, a lot of healthcare consultants are interested in this concept as it offers a new and creative way of lighting the patient room.

He further said: “We have been receiving good response to HealWell in the region. To date, the main prospects for HealWell are currently based in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE, where the healthcare infrastructure is rapidly growing. We have projects in the pipeline but we cannot disclose the hospitals’ name at the moment.”

In addition to HealWell, Philips has another healthcare lighting solution called AmbientExperience is used in examination and treatment rooms to reduce anxiety. Ambient Experience is based on years of clinical design research. It has been developed to make the experience of visiting the hospital a less stressful one.

UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS
As part of its research, Philips identified four key attributes that contribute to an optimal patient experience – attributes that are often lacking in today’s healthcare world:

• Comfort – Anxious, unsure patients desire a sense of ease, and relaxation in a welcoming environment that soothes and calms can help;

• Human contact – Separated from families and loved ones, patients have to rely on reassuring visual and physical contact with a caring clinical staff;

• Personalisation – With little power to influence their experience, efforts to keep patients engaged in the process are important;

• Efficiency – Shortening lengthy procedures and wait times helps reduce stress for both patients and staff.

By designing a multi-sensorial experience using technology as the enabler, Ambient Experience seeks to positively influence these attributes, making the patient’s a stay at the hospital an exceptional one.

“Ambient Experience focuses on the values and needs of patients and medical staff by addressing the total experience flow. It integrates architecture and technology innovations (in lighting, sound, projection, RFID) to create healthcare spaces that are unique and inviting.

“Patients can personalise their surroundings, wrapping themselves in a relaxing ambience. When patients gain a sense of control, they become more at ease with the proceedings. Improved workflow in a customised Ambient Experience environment promotes clarity and confidence for the staff which can lead to increased job satisfaction,” said the spokesman.