Lighting Assessment in the Hospital: An Observational Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background and Objectives: Proper lighting in hospitals is essential for patient care and operational efficiency. This study assessed lighting compliance in a tertiary care hospital, considering both objective measurements and subjective evaluations. Methods: This observational study was conducted in various hospital departments, including operating theatre, intensive care unit (ICU), accident and emergency (A&E), and wards. Two methods were used: illuminance measurement with a lux meter and checklist-based compliance assessment. Results were compared to national standards (Bureau of Indian Standards, SP 72). Results: The study found that over 90% of areas had lighting below the recommended standards. Operating theatre compliance was 20%, ICU compliance was 18%, and A&E had 0%. Compliance based on checklist assessment was highest in operating theatres (54%) and lowest in acute medical wards (12.5%). Conclusions: The study revealed significant gaps in hospital lighting compliance. The study suggests optimizing lighting placement and types (eg, light emitting diode (LEDs)) and incorporating lighting standards into hospital accreditation guidelines.