Other than standard over the bed lighting, what options are available for safety hospital bed lighting in patient areas?

While lighting in hospital rooms is designed to provide clear lighting options for doctors and medical staff to exam and treat patients, it is also an important factor for the patient. The over head or over bed light can be used to provide enough light to read, use a computer or visit with friends and family even if the ambient light in the room is very low. Of course the opposite is also true, the light can be designed to provide a gentle indirect light that is perfect to allow the patient to rest and sleep while also providing enough light for staff to check in on the patient without the need to turn on overhead lights.

Safety features such as night lights, which are either part of the hospital bed lighting or additional fixtures, are important considerations in rooms where patients are ambulatory or in rooms where staff is required to check in on the patient throughout the night. Night lights provide a soft glow and are low wattage, costing very little to operate while providing maximum safety for those moving about in the room. In addition there are also photocell night lights available that only come on when the room reaches a low light level. These not only safe energy but they also are automatically operated without the need for the patient or staff to turn them on. Other types of hospital bed lighting can be controlled by the patient for comfort and safety.

Other than simply on and off, are there hospital bed lighting options that provide a range of different intensities of light for a variety of purposes?

Hospital bed lighting has evolved to the point that there are now multiple different lighting options all available in the same fixture. Top quality fixtures may provide as many as four different light sources that can be controlled with a remote that can be used by the patient or staff. The four different light sources include a ceiling focused indirect light, perfect for watching TV or during daylight hours to provide general light for the room. Direct light that points downward is ideal for staff and doctors to use when tending to the patient or during patient examinations.

Night lights are perfect type of hospital bed lighting for a soft glow when the patient is sleeping. This provides enough light for moving about with comfort without the need for additional light. Reading lights focus light for the patient that won't disturb others in the room and can all be part of the hospital bed lighting fixture.

What are the features that make hospital bed lighting very comfortable and relaxing for the patients?

When patients are able to control and adjust the level of light provided by the fixture they are much more relaxed and comfortable in their room. In addition with easy control through the bed control system the patient is not required to stretch or move to turn lights on and off. Having more control over the lights provides a sense of independence to the patient and also decreases the demands on the staff to adjust the lighting requirements.