Windows in the intensive therapy unit

Abstract

SummaryRetrospective surveys were carried out on two groups of patients who had survived a stay of at least 48 h in an Intensive Therapy Unit. One group had been kept in a unit without windows, and the other in a similar unit with translucent but not transparent windows.Survivors from the windowless unit had a less accurate memory of the length of their sfay, and were less well orientated in time during their stay. The incidence of hallucinations and delusions was more than twice as high in the windowless unit.The phenomenon of depersonalisation in the face o j life-threatening danger is described and discussed.

Ambient light levels and critical care outcomes

“…Light exposure adequate in intensity and duration has been shown to decrease delirium and psychosis [44,45] and improve sleep-wake cycle, thus decreasing pulmonary [46], cardiac [47], endocrine [48,49], and immune system dysfunction [50][51][52]. Efforts to normalize circadian rhythms and sleep-wake cycle in patients have focused on environmental control, including regulation of light as a preventive measure [6][7][8][9].…”

“…These studies did not quantitatively measure light levels [5] or assess intermediate outcomes such as analgesic use [6][7][8][9]. A single, small (n = 11) unblinded, randomized, interventional study evaluated 2 different light exposures in patients with postoperative esophageal cancer [10] and demonstrated a lower incidence of delirium in the group exposed to more intense light levels.…”

Use of 2 % propofol to produce diurnal sedation in critically ill patients

“…The exposure of critically ill patients to natural light has appeared to confer benefits in two studies. Those in a windowless ICU were more disorientated, suffered more visual disturbance and sleep disturbance compared to an ICU lit by natural light [13]. Exposure of preterm infants to alternating periods of night and day resulted in greater sleep times and more weight gain compared to a control group where the intensity of light and noise was not reduced [14].…”

Lighting energy savings potential of split-pane electrochromic windows controlled for daylighting with visual comfort

“…For office workers, views of the exterior have been correlated with both reduced physical and psychological discomfort [22], as well as increased job satisfaction and decreased job stress [23], especially for views of nature [24]. For patients in health care facilities, view has been correlated with faster recovery [25] and better physical and mental health condition [26,27], as well as being preferred by staff [28].…”