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Chapter II: Review of Related Literature

2.1 Balancing Clinical and Aesthetic Needs in Hospital Spaces

In designing healthcare facilities there must be a balance in its aesthetic and function.
The facility shall be design in a manner that it will look non-institutional as well as designers
shall take into consideration that complex and meticulous activities are conducted in the area.
One way to be able these needs to coexist is through lighting. Improvement in illumination can
help improve in task and ambient lighting of the facility.

To be able to improve lighting in hospital and healthcare institutions Fong and


Losnegard suggested the following rules of thumb in the different spaces of the facility.

The Adult Patient Room or area which ranges from medical surgery rooms to critical
care unit. On these area, it is best to use a one color lamp. They also suggested the
maintenance in the consistency of the lighting quality as well as to limit the number of lamp
and its type but designer shall also take into consideration that 1-2 lamps are not enough to
eliminate areas like this. Under the Adult Patient Room is the Standard Patient Room on this
area lighting shall reveal color nuances in patients skin tone. The area shall also minimize glare
as well as it shall make the patient feel relaxed and enough task lighting shall be provided in this
pace. The light shall not obstruct other patients specially in the ward but it shall not also hinder
the illuminance needed by those who are being examined. Critical Space Area which are
composed of the Intensive Care Unit, the Burn Care Unit and the Coronary Care Unit shall be
given better illumination for visual and auditory surveillance. These unit requires more constant
care and monitoring that is why broad shadow less distribution of light is needed in addition to
glare reduction devices shall be installed in these kind of room configurations. On the other
hand, Labor Delivery Recovery Postpartum Rooms should exhibit home like ambiance so that it
can help in the birthing process. To detect changes in patient conditions general lighting on the
area shall be good in color rendering. Delivery room lighting is the same as the operating room
lighting it aims to help aid in the performance of the surgery but it must not also be obtrusive in
the view of the surgeon. Adult Rehabilitation Rooms shall be accessible to users. Patients in this
area most likely are healing spinal and brain injuries and is in transition from hospital to home.
Maintenance care and other physical activities are done in this area and patients shall learn to
manage themselves and do things on their own. For this consideration, the proponent of the
study suggested that lighting controls must be accessible to be able to lessen mobility at the
same time it shall promote home like feeling because patients often stay here for a long-time
treatment. Last is the Geriatric spaces, since visual difficulties are present in the aging
generation luminaire selection is very important. Glare is to be avoided because it can cause
major damage on old age eyes, floors with glossy materials are also to avoid because reflection
from these is disorienting specially to the old people.

Facilities catering to the young ones shall also be given importance for light may damage
kids eyes if not given focus. NICU or the Intensive Care Unit for the pediatric patients the
author of the study said that bright light is very damaging to premature babies. Lighting on this
area shall be controlled so that it can cope with the babies demands. On the other hand,
lighting on examination spaces shall be specific and focus. Regular nurseries are suggested to
have incorporation of daylighting. According to researches babies exposed to natural light can
cope more on the daily routine and they develop faster than those who are not. Like on any
other room the designer shall be very particular with the lighting of the examination room and
controlled light is suggested to avoid retinal damage to new born.

2.2 Color Roles in Healthcare

Color is not just important because it can enhance aesthetic of the building but at the
same time choosing colors for a healthcare facility can affect the healing and recovery of the
patients. By the mere color of walls, floors and furniture patients can either be calmed or be
aggravated so it is very crucial to study the psychology of colors specifically concerning health
facilities.

Color preference and consideration can be based on age. According to the study made
by Ki and Jian Malkin Inc. it is recommended to use contrasting colors specially on spaces
occupied by older generation because they have a tough time identifying spatial and color
relationships. Dittmar on the other hand said that old people has a decreased liking for blue.
According to Park the use of white is discourage for it can be a visual hazard. Pediatric patients
who has no color preference dont prefer white as a color for health facilities because it is very
institutionalized. According to Manhke said that it is ideal to have variety of colors in one space
because people quickly adapts to one color even if predominant in color can be monotonous if
seen for a very long time. Furniture that promotes variety is advised to use because it is less
intimidating to patients. Though varying in colors the study suggested that there must be
harmony in the shades to be use.

The function of the area shall be considered while choosing colors for the facility. The
use of the distinct colors can triggered the emotions of the patient good or bad. According to
the study the use of blue and yellow can alter the visual diagnosis for patients with jaundice,
cyanosis and other skin diseases. The designer shall take into consideration who the users of
the room are to have a better judgement of what color to use. It is aid that warm colors like red
and orange can make you feel that time is passing slowly and it is not ideal to use for lobbies
and waiting areas. Blue and green on the other hand can help decreased the negative effects of
noise distractions as well as it enhances people way to concentrate specially on complicated
and meticulous tasks. It is also said that agitated and hypertensive patients prefer cool colors to
calm them down. Red is discouraged to be used in rooms for epileptic and neuro patients but it
is preferred to be used in depressed people. Bright and contrasting patterns are not very ideal
because according to study it is intimidating and overwhelming.

Culture can also be a refence in choosing colors. Different countries have different belief
and color meanings. One must fully understand who are the occupiers of the facility and also
must understand the way of life and thinking. Culture is a crucial point in choosing colors. The
designer shall understand the history and background of who the area is his/her beliefs matters
specially on their own house design.

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