Part 2 of a roundtable discussion featuring Tommy Nichols - Business Development Director - Healthcare at Acuity Brands. Originally featured in Healthcare Facilities Today - interview by Jeff Wardon, Jr., Assistant Editor.
Warden: Healthcare facilities can be like labyrinths for people to get lost in, which is why wayfinding is a critical feature to have. Fortunately, elements such as signage and lighting can be helpful for patients and staff to use to find their way. In this manufacturer roundtable, Healthcare Facilities Today speaks with lighting manufacturers about how lights can be used for wayfinding purposes.
How can lighting be used for wayfinding in a healthcare facility?
Nichols: Lighting can play a crucial role in wayfinding within a healthcare facility by integrating advanced technologies into light fixtures. Traditionally, lighting can be used to visually differentiate different areas or wings by color coding. For instance, all light fixtures in the cardiac wing might be red, helping patients and staff easily identify where they are based on the lighting scheme.
With the integration of modern technology, lighting can go beyond simple visual cues. Beacons or real-time location services can be embedded into luminaires, allowing healthcare facilities to track equipment and personnel in real time. This enhances operational efficiency by enabling staff to quickly locate critical equipment or monitor traffic flows within the facility. It can even be used to analyze how long it takes staff members, such as nurses, to travel between different points, which can help optimize workflow and improve patient care.
Essentially, lighting becomes both a navigational aid and a tool for operational management, improving both patient experience and staff efficiency.
