Assessing Environmental Factors in Healthcare Facilities in Order to Improve the Experience of Patients, Staff, and the Quality of Imaging Procedures

We will be using Wi-Fi/IP programmable LED lighting systems that will replace conventional lighting systems and may be in canned lights, spot lights, light chains or table lights. These lighting systems can be fully controlled by web based applications on smart phones tablets and computer systems and can be combined with input systems such as switches, motion detection or voice activated. Differences in lighting perception will be explored by varying lighting color and brightness.

We will be using Wi-Fi/Bluetooth addressable sound systems that will be linked with sound sources such as media players on smart devices or computer systems. Differences in sound perception will be explored by varying sound types (i.e. different music types, ambient noise, etc.).

We will explore the use of consumer grade ventilation systems that can be equipped to distribute packaged scents. Differences in smell perception will be explored by varying the types of scents.

We will explore the use of chairs or blankets that enable subjects to perceive vibrations. An initial implementation will be the use of on relaxing/massage chair that enables the experience of vibration sensation in the back or leg area. We may use also potentially vibration blankets in the arm or neck area. Differences in vibration perception will be explored by varying the location, frequency, etc. of vibrations with the subject being placed in a chair on an imaging table/bed.

We will explore the use and linkage of voice activation system such as Amazon Echo, Google home or similar devices. Some participants may be asked to use voice activations to verbally select and/or change the environmental settings according to their preferences. We are evaluating the feasibility of voice activation with the imaging environment.