CSAt the General University Hospital in Prague (VFN), advanced circadian lighting with autonomous control was installed in the exposed workplace of the coronary unit. And this is a world rarity. This innovative lighting, which we developed in cooperation with the Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), simulates the properties of natural light during the day, in the evening, and at night. It brings significant benefits – improving vitality or supporting the treatment of patients, better concentration, alertness, and mood of the staff.
The uniqueness of biodynamic lighting
Biodynamic lighting in VFN is unique in its complexity and exceptional way of management. The system automatically and smoothly switches between modes depending on the time of day or season, while meeting all requirements for intensity, the direction from which the lighting comes, and above all, the spectral composition and colour of the emitted light. During the day, it provides a full-spectrum white light as the sun, naturally supporting the user’s organism. In the evening, warm light with suppressed blue and azure tones imitates the light during sunset, which prepares the body for night-time regeneration processes. At night, if the hospital department is quiet, the night lighting is provided by an orientation dimmed orange light, which allows routine patient check-ups, but does not disturb sleep and night-time regeneration of the organism. If necessary, the illumination can be easily increased, enabling doctors to perform even the most demanding visual tasks.
“Although the use of biodynamic lighting in healthcare is becoming more and more popular, it is definitely not yet a standard. Especially the financial and technical complexity of implementation represents the main obstacles to massive expansion within the Czech Republic,” says prof. MUDr. Jan Bělohlávek, Ph.D., the Head of the 2nd Internal Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology, VFN and the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University. He also adds that in Western countries this type of lighting is most often used especially in private workplaces and outside the most intensive departments. In this respect, the implementation in the VFN workplace is truly unique.
The functioning of the technology and the benefits of the light fixture are also described by Hynek Medřický, the Technology Director at Spectrasol. According to him, the lighting system is specific to the applied system of three unique spectral compositions and the distribution of light in the area. In general, the light shines so that it helps during the day and does not harm at night. “This is a full-spectrum LED light for the day, the light with reduced blue and cyan blue for the evening and orange light for the night so that it does not have negative effects on the non-visual circadian time system of patients and staff, which, among other things, significantly affects the vitality of their organism, mood, and overall health,” explains Hynek Medřický.
Positive impacts on patients and staff
According to available research, circadian light in healthcare facilities has a positive effect on both hospitalized patients and exposed staff. Professor Bělohlávek expects that the new, biodynamic lighting will contribute to reducing the risk of ICU psychosis and other complications associated with hospitalization (infection, muscle weakness, malnutrition, etc.).
He adds that ICU psychosis, including restlessness, annoyance or even aggression, lack of concentration, or, conversely, insomnia, affects up to 60 % of patients hospitalized in intensive care units. Among the many causes and risk factors of these conditions, there are sleep deprivation, disorientation in time, and sensory deprivation. The acquired lighting should reduce these risk factors.
The hospital will likely extend the implementation of lighting to other departments as well. “Probably, we would expect the greatest benefit in the departments where there is the greatest risk of developing the mentioned ICU psychosis and where patients spend the longest time – that is, for example, in Gerontology Departments, Intensive Care Units, Anaesthesiology and Resuscitation Departments, Psychiatric Departments and others. However, specialized lighting can also be used, for example, in Sleep Laboratories or Maternity Wards for nursing mothers,” foresees Ing. Tomáš Bouček, the Clinical Engineer of the 2nd Internal Clinic of Cardiology and Angiology, VFN and the 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University.
“For the staff, the simulation of natural daylight should bring, among other things, more comfort, a reduction of fatigue, and a reduction of inconveniences, such as headaches,” he further comments the lights by Spectrasol. The first subjective feedback from the staff is very positive. Analysis of the results will also take place in cooperation with CTU, with which the hospital is preparing several scientific projects aimed at evaluating the benefits of biodynamic circadian lighting. “We are in the early stages, but when everything is up and running, we are going to monitor, for example, the effect of the light environment on the stability of the circadian rhythm and melatonin production,” explains Dr. Lenka Maierová, a specialist in healthy lighting at CTU UCEEB.
Tailor-made lights thanks to the cooperation with CTU
“The lighting project for VFN builds on the experience we have gained during our long-term cooperation with Spectrasol. At the same time, it was our most demanding project so far in terms of operational requirements in a medical facility,” explains Dr. Lenka Maierová describing the course of cooperation in the project. According to her, this meant designing a lighting environment synchronizing the circadian system, meeting the high requirements for lighting during necessary medical procedures, but at the same time not disturbing patients and enabling them to sleep well, as well as ensuring simple operation and 100% reliability of the control system, including backup solutions for unexpected situations.
This is also confirmed by Mr. Michal Vopat, the Head of the R&D team at Spectrasol: “The smart system that controls the biodynamic lighting is also very specific. It was necessary to set it up so that the light regimes meet the biological needs of patients and staff, but at the same time meet the strict and specific criteria that come with the operation of the intensive care unit. That’s why the management program was custom designed and was continuously fine-tuned together with the staff to achieve the best possible synergy.”
The plan for the application of circadian lighting entered the project of the overall reconstruction of the VFN Coronary Department at the very beginning, which according to its workers was very comfortable, especially due to the preparation of the electrical installation and distribution for the lighting system and its equipment. “This entire project for VFN lasted from July to the end of 2023. During this relatively short time, together with the VFN staff, we managed to bring the implementation to a successful ending,” says David Piller, the Leader of the Spectrasol Project Team, who also adds that the company will continue in the implementation of biodynamic lighting in other healthcare facilities. In such facilities, the light that respects circadian rhythms is very important for the demanding and responsible work of the staff as well as the faster recovery of patients.
