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An increasing number of clinical treatment modalities feature the therapeutic application of light in wavelengths that correspond to specific colors. How do design professionals connect light and color with form? Until now, such relationships remained largely unexplored. Beginning with accepted contemporary science and tracing the question back to early scientists and philosophers, this paper confronts the skeptic who says that color is situational and cultural and that it cannot be linked to outcomes. By describing modalities that combine specific light wavelengths with color and form, this investigation probes material that does not conform neatly to the research data. By exploring Plato's concepts in the form of an environmental experiment, this paper applies ancient theories of healing to current medical applications in conceptualizing the design of a hypothetical spa. The hypothesis is that patients who visit a spa designed to connect form with light and color will experience more effective and timely outcomes than the same patients who visit an ordinary spa.

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Electronic health records (EHRs) are the future of the healthcare industry; however, insufficient attention is paid to where and how the hardware systems that support EHR software are integrated in the existing environment.The physical implementation of EHRs is an underlying component of the technology program that may pose barriers and/or gateways to EHR adoption in terms of patient safety and satisfaction, clinical usability of the EHR system, cultural acceptance, and organizational workflow. After confirming that environmental interventions are most effective when coupled with cultural programs, this article asserts that hardware is a necessary complement to EHR software implementation if usage is to progress strategically and ergonomically. This article then seeks to explain how, based on evidence-based design (EBD) decisions, the built environment that supports EHR software can enhance or hinder communication. The findings of this paper posit that when EHR hardware is designed ergonomically and with provider-patient communication at the forefront of point-of-care services, EHR usage in the healthcare environment can improve the quality of health services delivery.This article is the result of a literature review, case studies, academic lectures, healthcare informatics webinars, and discussions with architects, interior design professionals, and corporate EHR leaders.

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