There’s more to designing lighting solutions for the healthcare sector than meets the untrained eye. With the latest lighting products and solutions and comprehensive knowledge of industry compliance and complexity, we can work with you to create a brighter future for patients and health care providers all over New Zealand.
When developed and used properly, lighting products can have a positive impact on diagnostic and healing processes.
In diagnostic applications, the specific spectral power distribution color of lighting is crucial for certain aspects of clinical observation, including the detection of cyanosis – a skin discoloration that can indicate low oxygen levels in the blood.
Based on this, the lighting industry has developed methodology for calculating Cyanosis Observation Index (COI) and color temperature requirements for lighting in healthcare environments.
Cyanosis is the bluish discolouration in skin and mucous membranes which indicates that the oxygen levels in the blood are dangerously depleted. Without a good transmittance in the red area (660nm), this could be undetected. The visual detection of cyanosis is related to the differences in the spectral transmission of oxyhaemoglobin and reduced haemoglobin which is maximized at about 660nm.
If a lamp output at 660nm is too low a patient’s skin colour may appear darker and may be diagnosed as cyanosed when this is not the case. If a lamp output at 660nm is too high it may mask the cyanosis and it may not be diagnosed when it is present.
Ensure medical practitioners have the best chance for a successful diagnosis by using Cree CR Troffers and LR Down Lights with Cyanosis Observation Index (COI) compliance.
Our Cyanosis Observation Index (COI) Compliant Products
