By Healthcare Facilities Today

Located just 20 minutes from its parent hospital, the Tampa General Medical Group (TGMG) Family Care Center in Brandon, Fla., opened in 2012 as one of several primary care clinics in the Tampa General Hospital medical system. 

With federal healthcare reform policies impacting hospitals and medical centers across the nation, TGMG needed to make changes to coincide with federal regulations. The hospital system set two primary goals. 

“The overall goal of the project was to build a modern ambulatory clinic that provides high quality medical attention at a lower cost for patients,” said Jose Marotta, Tampa General Hospital chief electrical engineer. “Secondly, we wanted to help patients in the outer region of Tampa receive hospital quality care at a primary care facility.”

Planning for a new clinic

TGMG knew its Brandon primary care facility needed an environment that would increase patient satisfaction and comfort during their visit. “Based on our experiences, the right aesthetics inside a health center make patients feel more at home and in return, feel better,” said Marotta. “One of those factors directly contributing to aesthetics is lighting.” 

A common lighting challenge in healthcare facilities is to provide light levels suitable for patients, nurses and doctors, as well as clinicians and staff alike. “We know our nurses and doctors need high quality lighting to see, for instance, physical details of skin ailments or open wounds,” said Marotta. “But we also need light levels suitable for patient comfort.” 

In addition to patient and healthcare provider preference, TGMG needed to take into consideration energy savings and maintenance reduction in the new facility. 

“In order to meet financial goals, it was necessary we find a lighting solution that saved energy and reduced maintenance,” said Marotta. “We looked directly at LED lighting paired with lighting controls and knew this combination would allow us to meet our challenges.” 

Marotta and his team identified key fixture considerations that would make this project a success. “The lumen level, physical appearance, and form and fit of luminaires were all closely evaluated to determine which lighting system would be the best,” said Marotta. “We also took footcandle ratings and long-term exposure photos to help measure lighting performance.” 

Choosing the right lighting

After careful consideration and testing of various LED luminaires, TGMG selected multiple LED luminaires and lighting controls from Acuity Brands.

“Lithonia Lighting VT Series 2’ x 2’ LED luminaires were chosen for approximately 75 percent of the building, including nurses stations, corridors, exam rooms, conference rooms, the lounge and the waiting room,” said Marotta.  

VT Series LED luminaires are designed to deliver high quality volumetric lighting for ambient illumination. Unlike traditional, more directed lighting systems, volumetric lighting creates a uniform balance between the light delivered on the patient care and documentation tasks, and illumination that is comfortable and inviting for patients and facility staff. This architectural luminaire can help healthcare facilities avoid the cold, institutional feeling associated with many clinics.  

Additionally, VT Series LED luminaires were specified with a lumen management option that ensures a constant level of illumination throughout the lifetime of the system, an option that saves an additional 10 percent of the energy, and further extends the life of the LED system. “The long life translates to lower-maintenance lighting, and a high color-rendering index (CRI), allowing doctors and nurses to accurately access patient status and condition visually,” said Marotta.

TGMG also saw nLight digital control technology as an added benefit of the VT Series LED luminaires. nLight controls maximize energy savings and add to the aesthetic appeal of the clinic’s interiors. 

“In the exam rooms, there are two levels of light. The controls adjust the LEDs with our customized settings, but with one touch, can be turned to 100 percent,” said Marotta. “If a patient goes in the exam room to speak with the doctor but does not need a physical exam, lighting does not have to be too bright. It helps keep everyone comfortable while saving the most amount of money.” 

In addition to VT Series LED luminaires, Winona Drums Series pendants and wall sconces were used for decorative illumination in the reception area, waiting room and bathrooms. Downlights from Lithonia Lighting were also used in the reception area.  Additionally, TGMG installed Lithonia Lighting LED exit signs and emergency lighting units. 

In just one day, the electrician was able to install the VT Series LED luminaires and nLight controls. “The installation was incredible,” said Marotta. “The process to install the lights moved really fast and the price was low enough that we could afford more fixtures since the electrician did not have to run a hard wire with controls. The electrician only had to put the fixtures up and they were ready to use.”