Hospitals nationwide are facing financial stress. According to Medicare Cost Report data analyzed by Definitive Healthcare, hospitals spent an average of $230.5 million in operating expenses in 2022 while bringing in only $223.7 million in net patient revenue. With such tight margins, healthcare facility administrators must be strategic in their capital improvements.
Investing in lighting, electrical and networking systems can prove worthwhile because they both directly and indirectly impact the patient and staff experience and can generate operational efficiencies.
Consider these lighting, electrical and networking system upgrades for your healthcare facility.
Rethink your hospital lighting strategy
Lighting design can enhance clinical workflows throughout medical centers’ many different purpose-built spaces. “Lighting plays a larger role than many people would assume,” says Randy Mortensen, executive vice president of global sales and marketing at Leviton.
Corridors, patient rooms and administrative areas can have high levels of glare, which can tire the eyes of staff who must spend hours in the spaces. “Specific lighting design factors can minimize glare in an environment to improve comfort for clinical staff,” says Mortensen, who recommends the resource Illuminating Engineering Society RP-29, Lighting for Hospitals and Healthcare Facilities for determining appropriate light levels.
Several studies have found that access to daylight, circadian lighting and tunable lighting can improve the occupant experience and reduce patient length of stay. “Utilizing LED technology and changing color temperatures to complement the time of day can help patients stay awake during the day and fall asleep earlier in the evenings, both of which support quicker recovery times,” Mortensen says.
With many lighting systems left on 24/7 in healthcare settings, switching to LED fixtures with their advanced tuning capabilities and energy efficiency — 18% to 44% more efficient than fluorescent alternatives — can lead to a relatively short return on investment, Mortensen says.
Further, smart controls onboard LED fixtures enable facilities teams to ensure lighting is responsive to a range of factors, such as time of day, natural light levels, occupancy and safety. These are all critical in healthcare environments that must navigate the often-competing patient recovery, clinical accuracy, occupant safety and energy cost management needs.
“Rebate programs and energy service companies can help facilities get up and running on the latest lighting control technology for a fraction of the price many administrators think they have to pay,” he notes.
Don’t take hospital power for granted
A reliable power source is essential to hospitals. Mortensen’s team at Leviton often sees healthcare facilities needing electrical updates to meet current code and safety guidelines. Component upgrades are also common to enhance serviceability with technology and improve the patient experience.
For example, as recommended by The Joint Commission, medical-grade power strips should only be used in patient areas to prevent vital equipment from shutting off if the power strips are overloaded. As more states adopt the latest National Electrical Code, Leviton anticipates more medical centers will transition to using modular wiring systems that meet torque requirements intended to reduce the risk of loose electrical connections, which can lead to fire.
Updating electrical receptacles to integrate USB charging ports in patient rooms and waiting areas can help people stay connected to their home, school or work responsibilities. The seemingly small detail of USB device charging availability can help reduce stress by assuring patients and their guests that the power is hardwired ubiquitously throughout the facility. Traditional outlets and adaptors typically offer a trickle charge whereas newer USB Type-C or Type A provide a more powerful 60-watt, two times faster charging for cellphones, tablets and laptops.
Mortensen explains: “Hospitals are strategically focused on creating a superior first impression and strengthening their brand, recognizing that every detail contributes to the overall visitor experience. This includes providing modern amenities like seamless device charging in waiting and recovery areas, which signals a commitment to patient and visitor comfort and a forward-thinking approach to care.”
He also adds that electrical retrofit costs can be mitigated using innovative commercial products with faster termination features to meet tight installation schedules, alongside the ability to hot swap devices, reducing downtime for critical systems.
Adopting a uLAN Architecture approach
Internet connectivity is critical to the functioning of medical devices, and as the number of devices continues to increase, a facility’s networking systems are central to its operation. But concerns of technological obsolescence are legitimate, Mortensen says. “Many facility operators worry about spending the money they have today on something they’re not sure will last tomorrow.”
To address these concerns, forward-thinking solutions like Leviton’s uLAN are gaining significant traction. A uLAN approach is designed to provide a unified, flexible infrastructure for smart buildings, with an architecture that considers a physical layer that supports converged applications over a single structured cabling system. This approach allows facilities to efficiently manage diverse applications, from lighting and security to HVAC and critical medical devices, all while offering the scalability and adaptability needed to future-proof their operations against evolving technological demands.
Every day there are new use cases that depend on IP-based infrastructure, such as smart beds, remote patient monitoring, robotic surgery and telemedicine. Mortensen adds that all these applications require high-performance category-rated cabling, such as Cat 6a PoE++, that can deliver both data and power.
Hospital operators often look to the Telecommunications Industry Association, which provides network density recommendations based on room type and use, to help plan infrastructure upgrades. Considering how much data must move securely over those lines, Mortensen advises planning for future needs and adopting a uLAN approach when deciding on your structured cabling system architecture. “Having a robust infrastructure will pay dividends down the road,” he says.
Hospital IT leaders must plan for the short and long term. For instance, a relatively simple upgrade in cabling type can streamline operations today and extend the life of networks and other critical systems.
“You don’t want these systems to go down, as it will directly affect patient care,” Mortensen emphasizes. “As technology is always moving forward, you must have the foresight and preparedness to adopt new ideas as they arise.”
To learn how Leviton can help your healthcare facility make upgrades with measurable impacts, visit https://leviton.com/healthcare.
