Sad stories are common among public and government-run hospitals.
And these anecdotes often talk of a long-running, deep-seated problem: the lack of adequate budget to acquire the latest equipment and facilities, to put up more clinics and to prevent the migration of nurses and doctors to other high-paying hospitals.
So perhaps it came as a surprise—a welcome news—to hear one government hospital tell of a different tale.
The Philippine Heart Center, one of the most prestigious government-run hospitals, made history by being the first medical institution is Asia, and the second in the world, to use the Philips HealWell lighting system.
Improve healing milieu
HealWell, a new lighting solution for patient rooms developed by Philips, is designed to improve the healing environment, by supporting patient comfort and staff performance with light that adapts to individual needs.
Philips, a global leader in health and well-being, explained that this innovation can simulate natural daylight while indoors, thus helping maintain the biorhythm and speed up the healing of patients.
“It feels good that a Philippine institution is at the forefront of evolving technology, and even more so that it is our own hospital, already known for its state-of-the-art surgical facilities,” said Dr. Gerardo Manzo, assistant director for medical services at the Philippine Heart Center.
Continuing commitment
During the joint briefing hosted by the Philippine Heart Center and Philips, Manzo noted that the partnership between the two parties highlighted the hospital’s continuing commitment to excellence and pledge to deliver the best possible healthcare to patients. PHC was able to acquire the HealWell lighting solution at a very affordable rate.
Philips Philippines country manager Rico Gonzales meanwhile noted that the company also was pleased to have partnered with the government on this innovative patient recovery system.
“Philips Healthcare solutions help improve the overall quality of patient care throughout the discovery, intervention and recovery process. Now with the healing capabilities of light, we can further support the Philippine Heart Center in promoting good health and enhanced recovery with the revolutionary Philips Healwell lighting system,” Gonzales explained.
The HealWell lighting solution uses an intelligent networked control system that manages a rhythm of dynamic daylight inside the hospital or building. The system can be set automatically or manually.
Increase comfort
Philips claims that the use of such an intelligent lighting system, particularly within the intensive care units, can help give patients increased comfort and wellness during their stay in the hospital.
Citing studies, Philips said the body’s hormone levels are largely influenced by its daily exposure to light and darkness. Natural light reportedly helps regulate the circadian rhythm, and thus has a significant effect on one’s physical and emotional wellness.
This connection, the studies further stated, has been observed in hospitals wherein patients who are exposed to generous amounts of sunlight have reported feeling less pain and stress, and even use up to 22 percent less medication per hour.
Given this encouraging promise brought by the use of lighting, Dr. Manzo said the Philippine Heart Center is now keen on observing and studying the positive effects of the HealWell system specifically on its ICU patients.
Eventually, the Philippine Heart Center would want to make its own mark by sharing its findings to the global medical community, Dr. Manzo concluded.