Opening of the Central Emergency Department at Heliosklinikum Wuppertal-Barmen
It is with great joy and pride that Helios-Klinikum Wuppertal-Barmen is pleased to announce the opening of its new Central Emergency Department, which not only features state-of-the-art medical technology but also introduces an innovative color and lighting concept that has been proven to have positive effects on the well-being and health of patients and staff. This innovative, needs-based color scheme will serve as a model for all central emergency departments within the Helios Group, one of Germany’s largest healthcare companies.
Soothing Atmospheres
Working in an emergency room is inherently challenging. Staff are under enormous pressure around the clock to make quick and accurate decisions to save people’s lives and protect their health. This demanding, high-responsibility, and often stressful environment affects not only the staff but also the patients and their loved ones, who frequently suffer from pain, anxiety, and uncertainty. In such an environment, a calming atmosphere is not only desirable but essential to support the recovery process and promote the well-being of everyone involved.
Positive Interactions Between Light and Surface Colors
To meet this need, the new Central Emergency Department was designed with a forward-thinking color scheme that uses soft, natural shades from the sandy, clay-like, and earthy color spectrum, complemented by invigorating color accents such as sage green and dove blue. These colors help create a calm and healing environment that reduces stress and fosters a positive atmosphere. The furnishings, floors, and doors feature a light, inviting wood finish that radiates warmth and comfort. For the conductive flooring in the monitoring room and the resuscitation rooms—made from particularly sustainable rubber—a new shade in a light clay tone was developed in collaboration between industry and the Institute for Color Psychology; this shade has a particularly natural and inviting appearance. The needs-based lighting design ensures a natural and pleasant environment through light sources with a high color rendering index (CRI 90). People and their surroundings are bathed in natural light, which is particularly effective in the examination rooms with daylight-white lighting and in the waiting and treatment rooms with warm-white lighting, both of which have a calming and relaxing effect.
A needs-based color scheme is not only aesthetically pleasing but also economically attractive
The positive effect of carefully selected lighting and surface colors on patients, staff, and family members has been scientifically proven. It not only promotes general well-being but also supports the healing process by creating an atmosphere that reduces stress and anxiety. Furthermore, it contributes to staff job satisfaction and well-being, which in turn enables higher-quality patient care.
Innovative Corporate Culture
With the corporate colors of the new Central Emergency Department at Helios-Klinikum Wuppertal-Barmen, the hospital is setting a pioneering standard in healthcare. It demonstrates how innovative approaches to design and technology can create an environment that meets not only the physical needs but also the emotional and psychological needs of patients, their families, and staff.
Link to the Helios University Hospital Wuppertal website
