By Healthcare Facilities Today

Henry County Hospital in Indiana services patients from a four county region that is focused on providing advanced healthcare services for its community.  The hospital was experiencing a growing need for expanded wound care services because of increased cases of diabetes as well as the aging population.   

In 2011 the hospital relocated and expanded its Advanced Wound Center to meet the community’s need.  The center offers care for difficult wounds that are not healing, and also provides hyperbaric oxygen therapy.

Lighting was a key consideration when renovating the Advanced Wound Center.  There were three objectives when specifying the ambient and hyperbaric chamber lighting. They wanted an alternative to fluorescent; lighting that was dimmable; and an an option that would reduce energy use and maintenance to be more environmentally conscious.

With patients spending about two hours per day in the hyperbaric chamber, sometimes receiving treatment for up to 60 days, lighting dimmable to the patient's preference was important. In addition, fluorescent lighting can cause seizures, making it necessary to find an alternative, says Stephanie Taylor, Advanced Wound Center director.

A solution was found in the VTLED by Lithonia Lighting. The fixture features volumetric lighting and full-range dimming (0-10V) as standard features. Additionally, it provides a plug and play dimming functionality, allowing end users to connect fixtures together. The fixtures were also similar looking to the hospitals existing Lithonia Lighting fixtures, maintaining aesthetics.

Henry County Hospital installed VTLED fixtures throughout the Advanced Wound Center, including exam rooms, dressing rooms, nurse station and the hyperbaric oxygen suite. Sensor Switch controls were installed in the hyperbaric chamber. 

The new lighting and controls have been well received by the Advanced Wound Center staff and patients, according to the manufacturer.

“The LED lighting and controls have worked extremely well in our department because it gives us more control of the lighting intensity,” said Taylor.  “The hyperbaric chamber suite has the lighting split into two sections – one for each chamber. The lighting system allows us to dim the lights on one side and leave them up on the other side according to the patient’s preference.  This gives us a lot of control and flexibility.”   

Lithonia Lighting