Healthcare lighting spans many tasks, from soft patient-room ambiance to bright, high-CRI exam and procedure light, with infection-control and circadian needs layered on top.
| Space | Target |
|---|---|
| Patient room (general) | 100 to 300 lux, dimmable |
| Patient exam | 300 to 500 lux |
| Nurses station | 300 to 500 lux |
| Treatment room | 500 to 1,000 lux |
| Operating room (general) | 1,000 lux+; task far higher |
| Corridors (day / night) | 200 / 50 lux |
Color, circadian, and hygiene
Use CRI 90 or better so clinicians read skin tone and tissue accurately. Tunable white supports patient circadian rhythm, and sealed, cleanable fixtures meet hygiene rules.
Keep night levels low for rest and control glare carefully — patients spend much of their time lying down and looking up.
See the CRI Reference Chart and the Recommended Lux Levels.
Healthcare lighting basics
Healthcare spaces span a wide range of needs, so lighting is layered by task. Patient rooms want soft, dimmable ambient light plus a brighter, high-CRI reading or exam light; corridors need steady, glare-free wayfinding, often with lower night settings; and exam or procedure areas demand bright, very high-CRI light (90+) so clinicians can judge skin tone and tissue accurately. Color temperature is usually neutral-to-cool in clinical areas and warmer in patient and waiting spaces for comfort. Controls that let staff adjust levels — and quiet, flicker-free drivers — matter for both patient rest and clinical accuracy.