We learn more about the role that ROBUS’s Human Centric Lighting has played in improving the conditions at one of Dublin’s leading teaching hospitals.
St James’s, a teaching hospital in Dublin, recently underwent a retrofit of ROBUS HUMANITAS Human Centric Lighting in its Mercer’s Institute for Successful Ageing (MISA) – a state-of-the-art-facility for integrated clinical services and a hub for world-leading research in ageing.
Patient and employee betterment
The Facilities Manager at St. James’s Hospital approached the local electrical wholesaler for advice on a lighting solution that would work best for the hospital’s particular needs, and the ROBUS HUMANITAS range was suggested.
Eight SPACE HUMANITAS panels were installed in the creative life workshop in St. James’s, a facility which is concerned with mental health and wellbeing.
The ROBUS HUMANITAS Human Centric lighting system takes into consideration the impact of lighting on the occupant’s wellbeing, productivity and comfort, making it the ideal solution for the MISA Centre.
As a technologically evolving and innovative institution, continuing to take steps that advanced both patients’ and employees’ betterment was integral. The effects of lighting on individuals took centre stage in determining the optimal lighting for a specific area.
Light balancing circadian rhythms
Research has found that the lighting where we work, rest, and learn needs to be optimised to work in harmony with our bodies’ natural circadian system. The human circadian rhythm is the body’s natural 24-hour cycle that needs to be reset every day. People who benefit from this type of lighting report improved moods, concentration, and productivity levels.
The ROBUS HUMANITAS Human Centric lighting system allows the user to experience the right light at the right time. The Human Centric lighting cycle initiates a 24-hour human circadian rhythm cycle that simulates the light output during the autumnal equinox. This is achieved by the composition of light intensity and light colour changing over the course of the day.
From concentration to peaceful relaxation
With the ROBUS HUMANITAS Human Centric lighting range, the MISA Centre can choose from various scenes and cycles to suit its needs on a day-to-day basis. The four scene set options available are Activate, Focus, Neutral, and Calm.
Activate gives a burst of blue light which will allow people in the room to become more alert.
Focus is designed to give a light output that increases concentration and comprehension. The neutral setting gives a 50:50 mix of warm white and cool white light and is best used as standard workplace lighting. Alternatively, the calm setting has little or no blue light, enabling patients to settle down into peaceful relaxation.
Flexibility and control
In addition to the scene settings, the HUMANITAS MODUM has three cycles. Cycles differs from the scenes on the modem in that they operate on a 24-hour constantly updated cycle.
The Human Centric Lighting cycle (HCL) initiates a 24-hour human circadian rhythm cycle. This simulates the light output during a typical day. During the cycle, the light is constantly on with the levels of blue light content varying.
The HCL+ is the same as the HCL cycle but delivers illuminance boosts throughout the working day when visual acuity is required. Finally, the custom cycle gives complete flexibility to the users at the MISA centre by allowing a fully configurable 24-hour, 7-day cycle.
Result
By integrating ROBUS HUMANITAS products, the MISA centre can compensate for insufficient daylight exposure experienced by patients by balancing their circadian rhythm. This will result in better nightly sleep and accelerate recovery times.
To browse the full ROBUS HUMANITAS range, click here
