Client: General University Hospital in Prague
Field of activity: healthcare
Description of the problem or challenge:
In the second half of 2023, the coronary unit of the General University Hospital in Prague underwent a complete reconstruction of the premises. The client chose to install biodynamic circadian lighting to help both patients and healthcare professionals.
It was the most advanced application of this type of lighting in the world, realised in cooperation with CTU UCEEB
The goal was thereby to create lighting that…
- …will respect the circadian rhythms of patients and nursing staff due to 24/7 operation;
- …will support the treatment and recovery of patients and help the work of health professionals;
- …will be fully autonomous and automatic, but it will be perfectly and easily controllable for specific situations that may arise on the coronary unit;
- …will meet the most demanding requirements for visual comfort in medical procedures.
Description of the solution, technology used:
- Spectrasol ADDAM biodynamic indirect luminaires, Spectrasol EVA linear lighting, IBP embedded biodynamic luminaires 600×600 mm, VITAE reading and examination lamps with biodynamic bulbs; night orientation orange lighting in linear rails and ceiling spotlights, biodynamic lighting of lines
- Lighting control â DALI, Spectrasol autonomous biodynamic control system
- Phase: project completed
Key results:
- The result is a unique biodynamic lighting system, exceptional in its complexity and control mechanism.
- The system can automatically and seamlessly switch between modes depending on the time of day or season.
- The lighting meets all the requirements for intensity, the direction from which the light comes and, above all, the spectral power distribution and colour of the light emitted
- if necessary, luminance can be easily increased to allow physicians to perform even the most demanding visual tasks.
- The biodynamic circadian version of the lighting provides full-spectrum white light during the day to naturally support the usersâ body, following the pattern of daytime sunlight. In the evening, warm light with suppressed blue and cyan wavelengths, mimicking the light of the sun at sunset, prepares the body for the nightâs regenerative relaxation and recovery of the body. At night, orange night orientation lighting is used to allow basic medical procedures to be performed on patients without disturbing their sleep and circadian rhythms.
Client statement:
âThe new biodynamic lighting will help reduce the risk of ICU psychosis and other complications associated with hospitalisation time, such as infection, muscle weakness, malnutrition and others. He went on to say that ICU psychosis, which includes restlessness, irritability to aggressiveness, lack of focus and insomnia, affects up to 60 percent of patients admitted to intensive care units. Among the many causes and risk factors for these conditions are sleep deprivation, loss of time orientation and sensory deprivation. Circadian lighting will help reduce these risk factorsâ, says
Prof. MUDr. Jan BÄlohlávek, PhD., Head of the Second Internal Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology at the General University Hospital and the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University
âFurthermore, we expect the greatest benefit in wards where there is the greatest risk of ICU psychosis and where patients spend the longest time, for example, in gerontological wards, intensive care units, anaesthesiology and resuscitation wards, psychiatric wards, etc. Circadian lighting is also used in sleep laboratories or in nursing mother wards. For the staff, the simulated natural light should bring more comfort, reduced fatigue and a reduction in discomforts such as headaches, among other thingsâ, adds Ing. Tomáš BouÄek, Clinical Engineer of the Second Internal Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology, General University Hospital and the First Faculty of Medicine of Charles University.
Next steps:
Based on positive results of circadian lighting project, the hospital plans to expand it to other departments. For example, the lighting is also installed in the premises of the local psychiatric clinic.
Press releases:
https://www.spectrasol.cz/ze-zdravotnictvi-vfn-ma-nejpokrocilejsi-cirkadianni-osvetleni-na-svete/
https://www.spectrasol.cz/prazsky-denik-unikat-spital-ma-osvetleni-ktere-napodobuje-denni-rezim/
https://www.mujrozhlas.cz/veda-plus/co-je-na-zapade-bezne-u-nas-najdeme-jen-na-jednom-miste
https://www.uceeb.cz/en/prague-hospital-has-the-most-advanced-circadian-lighting-in-the-world/
Explore the project and principles of biodynamic circadian lighting at Pragueâs General University Hospital through this video animation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qsj_ryxffIc
Illustration photo:
