Propuesta metodológica para analizar la iluminación en consultorios ginecológicos- obstétricos de emergencia

caso de estudio

Abstract

The visual environment of hospitals, especially in emergency departaments, requires lighting conditions that guarantee speed, precision and safety. This study analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively the visual environment in an emergency obstetrics and gynecology office at a case study hospital in Mendoza, Argentina, under real conditions of use  from the staff's perspective. We verified regulatory compliance of lighting and photometric parameters and their correspondece with subjective perceptions of illuminance and visual comfort. We Identify differences in lighting conditions between both boxes of the office. B1 did not complied with quantity and spectral distribution regulations, but  complied  in modeling (62.25 % daytime and 50 % nighttime). B2 complied with the normative criteria during the day and maintained acceptable values at night for vertical illuminance (50 %) and modelling (100 %). There was no correspondence between glare values and staff perception. Statistically significant differences were found in illuminance level perception between boxes, being it higher in B2. No correlation was found between the general perception of the visual environment and the percentage of regulatory compliance. This study proposes a reproducible methodology to evaluate hospital´s visual environment, with potential to improve staff performance.