Evaluation of staff's perception of a circadian lighting system implemented in a hospital

Natural and electrical lighting have received attention in hospital environments due to their ability to increase hospital staffs' performance, improve shift workers' circadian rhythm and improve patients' recovery. Researchers have investigated health care staffs' satisfaction with their lit work environment in real-life settings; however, staff members' perception of a circadian lighting system (CLS) that operates automatically has yet to be researched. This paper presents the implementation of a CLS installed in a newly built hospital between June 2021–February 2022. Two surveys (n1 = 63, n2 = 48) and 10 interviews were conducted with staff. Wilcoxon rank-sum test was conducted to compare staff members’ responses between the pre-existing lighting (PeL) and circadian lighting system (CLS) at Neuro Intensive Care Unit and Postanesthesia Care Unit. The results showed a statistically significant satisfaction with the CLS compared with the PeL (p = 0.0003), and the staff found the CLS easier to use (p = 0.0011) and to adjust (p = 0.0023). The staff working in rooms with multiple patients appreciated the ability to adjust the lighting to the individual patient. These results supplement the existing body of research by presenting a field-study that illuminates barriers and advantages to consider when implementing CLS in hospitals. We conclude that CLS can complement a complex work environment in hospitals, but it requires close collaboration with occupants and continuous adjustments to the lighting settings for a successful implementation, and long-term use of the lighting system.