Application

Behavioral Health

In healthcare environments, patient safety is paramount. Ligature-resistant fixtures keep all patients safe from self-harm.

Kirlin Behavioral Health Lighting Solutions

For decades, Kirlin Lighting has been leading the industry in behavioral health lighting solutions, providing safe accommodation for any patient in an unstable condition. By developing quality luminaires, low glare designs, a residential feel, and ligature-resistant construction, we have met hospitals’ growing needs for maximum patient safety. We take pride in our innovative approach to behavioral lighting, while maintaining the aesthetics of a comfortable home environment.

New From Kirlin: Ambient+

Ambient+ two color switchable technology enhances the patient room experience in behavioral health settings with innovative circadian supportive lighting. By day, the fixture’s static white light creates a comforting, natural ambiance conducive to personal activities and rest. At night, it can shift to a gentle observation light using wavelengths like 590nm, 617nm, and 634nm, allowing staff to monitor patient well-being without interrupting sleep or the essential circadian rhythm. This feature is crucial for maintaining an environment that supports recovery and mental health, ensuring that each room is a sanctuary for healing. Ambient+ stands at the intersection of care and technology, offering a lighting solution that’s attentive to the nuanced needs of behavioral health patients.

Behavioral Health Best Practices

Looking for more detail on what products and features to consider in Behavioral Health settings? Take a look at this “Best Practices” webinar recording, featuring the Kirlin team.

You’ll learn all about:

Lighting Design for Autism-friendly Spaces

Research indicates that thoughtfully designed lighting can help create more comfortable and supportive spaces for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Based on insights from the National Library of Medicine, full research paper located here, there are some guidelines to consider:

  • Adjustable Light Levels: Many individuals with ASD are sensitive to brightness, often finding standard lighting levels too intense. Dimmable fixtures allow for a customized environment that can help accommodate this preference.
  • Color Sensitivity: Individuals with ASD may be more responsive to colors, which can impact their comfort and well-being in a space. Where color is being utilized, soft hues – such as pastels, neutrals, and muted tones – are generally the most suitable. However, it’s important to remember that color preference varies widely within the ASD community.
  • Managing Sensory Sensitivity: Given the connection between ASD and sensory processing differences, it’s helpful to reduce glare, reflections, buzzing noises, and overly bright lights, which can sometimes be overwhelming.

For additional insights into sensory-friendly lighting for those with ASD, Covey – a non-profit supporting the neurodivergent community – offers resources on its website, which can be found here.

Behavioral Health FAQ

  • Are all vandal resistant products safe for behavioral health?

    No. While Kirlin’s vandal resistant products are built to withstand force and tampering, we recommend using ligature resistant fixtures in behavioral health settings. Ligature-resistant fixtures carry all the benefits of vandal-resistant fixtures, but on top of that they are designed to resist any looping, wedging, or tying of strings, sheets, or laces (ligatures) to prevent patients doing harm to themselves.
  • Do you offer ligature resistant shower lights?

    Yes! Kirlin offers one of the only dead-front anti-ligature shower lights on the market, MRV-07715.
  • Do behavioral health products have special lens attributes?

    Yes. All Kirlin’s behavioral products have 0.22″ thick clear polycarbonate lenses on the environment side, and high strength optical control lenses above, for nearly 0.5″ of barrier between the light fixture and the room below. Many of our products are also rated to the IK10-standard, meaning they can withstand 20 joules of force without breaking.
  • Does Kirlin offer amber night-lighting for behavioral health settings?

    Yes! All of our nightlights are available with amber or red/amber gel filters, and Hitsville nightlight (MTT-03NLT) is available with static-wavelength LEDs at 590nm or 617nm. Also our nighttime observation light (MRV-06864) is available in yellow/orange and red/orange to support patient sleep while enabling staff members to see clearly.