Lighting Manufacturer Launches More Designs for Behavioral Health


 Visa Lighting has long been recognized for creating luminaires for healthcare patient rooms that are comforting and homelike, yet still use exam lighting multifunctionality and cleanable surfaces. A few years ago, they began designing for behavioral health spaces as well. This week's launches bring their total up to six families.

Behavioral health facilities require fixtures and furnishings to be impact, tamper, and ligature-resistant. It is equally important, however, that design elements contribute to a therapeutic environment. Because of safety requirements and the complexity of light fixture components, specifiers have had few design options for these spaces. The luminaires chosen were often meant for correctional facilities and other high abuse areas.

However, design priorities have shifted alongside the evolution of behavioral health treatment. In an effort to treat the whole person (not just control symptoms), behavioral health inpatient care has become focused on patient-centered recovery. Environmental design plays a huge role in that, as patients live and recover in these spaces for an average of 7.2 days. Many experts suggest that a warm, homelike atmosphere with non-institutional fixtures can prevent psychological stress and offer positive distraction.

Lenga was originally launched as a dual luminaire (two units working in tandem) for patient overbed. It's extremely narrow, only 3" wide, and produces asymmetric exam light from the angled outer lenses. This eliminates shadows over the bed and allows caregivers to examine patients without throwing glare in their eyes. Lenga's new behavioral health models include the same design and functionality, but with a secondary polycarbonate lens and tamper-resistant fasteners. Recent Joint Commission guidance advises that all patient spaces should be safe and ligature-resistant, not just behavioral health spaces, so Lenga's release is particularly well-timed.

Visage is a recessed linear ceiling luminaire with a minimal frame and multiple length options. Specifiers first requested a behavioral health version of this family because it is such a fundamental form and can be used throughout the behavioral health facility to provide ambient or accent lighting. Where designers would use high abuse troffers or downlights to fill in the light or create rhythm, they can now use Visage.     

 



November 7, 2019


Topic Area: Energy and Power


Recent Posts

Seeking Standards for Microbial Loads in Healthcare Facilities

Why is there no binding standard for the acceptable microbial load on surfaces or in the air in hospitals?


UCR Health Unveils Plans for Major Expansion

The vision for the site will include an outpatient diagnostic center and possible future expansion.


High-Performance Windows Support Safety at UW Medicine's New Behavioral Health Center

Case study: Engineered for strength, quiet and daylight, the chosen windows help create a safe, calming and energy-efficient environment for patients and providers.


Central Maine Healthcare Dealing with IT System Outage

The organization identified unusual activity within their computer software, prompting them to secure and shut off all IT systems.


Kaiser Permanente Opens Newly Expanded Everett Medical Center

The facility offers primary care and pediatric care and has specialty care departments.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.