Hospitals are meant to be places of healing, yet for many patients, the very environments designed to support their recovery can make rest difficult. Sleep is often interrupted, natural light and its intensity is limited during the day, at times nighttime lighting is too high, and noise levels are high – all of which can slow recovery and prolong hospital stays.
New research led by Dr. Emil Jonescu, our Head of Research & Development, highlights just how much these factors impact patient outcomes. His study into ambient conditions in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) shows that the environments we design play a critical role in how quickly and comfortably patients recover.
Recovery stems from medical treatment—and creating the right conditions for the body to heal. Research suggests that providing better access to daylight and periods of intensity during the day, minimising exposure to light at night, ensuring temperature varies appropriately between daytime and nighttime, and reducing background noise can make a profound difference in a patient’s ability to sleep and recover. Hospital environments must be considered as a critical ingredient of care, supporting clinical staff and patient healing—helping people get back to their families faster.
What the Research Found
The study revealed that:
- Lighting is too dim for too long during daytime hours – Patients in ICUs experience consistently low light exposure (far below the recommended levels for circadian rhythm regulation). This lack of natural light and sufficient light intensity does not support sleep-wake cycles, making it harder for patients to sleep.
- ICU temperature remained too consistent throughout daytime and nighttime hours—sleep is supported by a diurnal temperature difference.
- Noise is a constant stressor – beeping of machines, conversations between staff, and the general hum of a busy ICU impact both patients and healthcare workersbyimpacting sleep and recovery in patients, and clinicians’ wellbeing and ability to communicate.
Why This Matters
When patients are able to have quality sleep, their bodies heal faster. A shorter recovery time means they can return home to their loved ones sooner, reducing the emotional and financial toll of extended hospital stays. For healthcare providers, this means better patient outcomes, efficiencies in operational costs and space optimisation, and a more sustainable system of care.
While this study focused on ICUs, these methodology and findings have broader implications, contributing to aged care, rehabilitation, mental health facilities, and palliative care settings—where comfort and quality care experiences go hand in hand
At Hames Sharley, we believe that designing for healthcare means designing comfortable environments for people—patients, families, and care providers alike. Our Health Portfolio experts, Philip Parker and Karl de Beer, are passionate about integrating these research-backed principles into real-world healthcare environments.
Designing Spaces That Truly Support Healing
So, what can we do?
More consideration is required of ‘optimal’ settings, i.e., energy efficiency vs. staff comfort vs. optimal settings for diurnal temperature for circadian regulation for patient sleep. These may seem like small changes, but they can make a big difference—helping patients sleep, recover, and return home sooner.
- Maximise access to natural light – Design spaces that increase access to daylight exposure and support healthy sleep cycles.
- Minimise exposure to light at night – Provide adjustable task lighting at workstations and patient beds.
- Reduce noise where possible – utilise healthcare-suitable sound-absorbing materials.
To learn more about this research and how it’s shaping the future of healthcare design, get in touch with our team today.
