Lighting Brightens Future Treatment at New Hospital in Malmö

Soon, Skåne County in Sweden can open the doors to the first part of the New Hospital in Malmö, and although the hospital project has been a long time in the making, one thing has been clear from the start – the lighting.

With a total of 108,000 square meters, the new hospital – Nya Sjukhuset Malmö – will be one of Sweden's largest hospitals, placing demands on staff and patient conditions. Therefore, the hospital, in addition to new initiatives such as care departments with single rooms and pneumatic tube systems, will also consist of innovative lighting solutions.

— From the beginning of the project, Skåne County has had a clear vision of ensuring good conditions at Nya Sjukuset Malmö, and that is one of the reasons they have chosen to implement evidence-based lighting solutions in several departments, explains Greger Johansson, Senior Sales and Relations Manager at Chromaviso.

Operating theatres with ergonomic lighting

In all the hospital's new operating theatres and hybrid rooms, visual ergonomics take precedence when implementing a special light designed specifically for surgical specialities.

— Chroma Zona ergonomic lighting will be implemented. This is a concept designed for endoscopic surgery and for use in examination rooms where work is done on screens. In addition, a Triple White lighting solution, developed to create a balanced light environment during open surgery, will also be installed. Both lighting solutions are evidence-based and will be implemented in all 19 operating theatres and 4 hybrid rooms, says Greger Johansson.

But it's not only the staff and patients in the surgical department who can look forward to a supportive light environment – it has also become a top priority in the new intensive care unit.

Sunset on Neuro-OBS and intensive care

Getting the right light at the right time is important to ensure a stable circadian rhythm for both patients and staff who are in the hospital at all hours of the day, explains Greger Johansson:
 
— Therefore, it has been decided to install automated circadian lighting that replicates the natural effects of light. The circadian lighting provides patients and staff with strong light during the daytime, which the body needs, while they receive subdued and amber-coloured light in the evening and nighttime hours, ensuring melatonin production. This ensures a stable circadian rhythm, even when indoors, which is important not only for the patients' rehabilitation process but also for the health of the staff. Research shows that especially staff working evening and night shifts can develop serious health consequences by being exposed to bright light.

The installation phase is underway

The newly completed part of the construction will house care departments, receptions, and facilities for intensive care. In these months, the preparations for the healthcare system's move-in have begun on the premises. 

— Even though the construction process is still ongoing in other parts of the hospital, in the finished part, we can now begin the process of installing circadian lighting, says Jörgen Svensson, project manager at ApQ/NSMEL, the electrical contractor on the project, adding:

— It's exciting to be part of such an ambitious project. We're looking forward to contributing to a modern and innovative healthcare facility.

Greger Johansson shares the enthusiasm:

— It's exciting to be part of a hospital project where the focus is not only on meeting the many technical standards but also on prioritizing the well-being and health of patients and staff, he concludes.

The first part of Nya Sjukhuset Malmö is expected to be put into use in May 2024, while the entire hospital project is scheduled to be completed by 2025.