Philips announces the installation of the first Ambient Experience Cath Lab in the Middle East

The scanning facility will revolutionise the way medical examinations are undertaken, giving patients more control over the experience and allowing physicians to focus on the patient. With both the patient and the physician feeling physically and emotionally comfortable, time and money can be saved.

The Ambient Experience Cath Lab suite has been designed to support medical staff and soothe patients during the medical examination process. The pioneering design of the suite promotes physical and emotional comfort for the patient and maximizes the interaction between the patient and staff by removing clutter and unnecessary physical barriers often present in a standard suite.

Heart patients can be distracted from the catheterization procedure by personally choosing a visual theme viewed on the LCD panels of the ceiling; colored lighting illuminates the walls and sounds represent the theme. These innovative features create a comforting and calming atmosphere for the patient, which may reduce patient anxiety and also delivers a sense of control over their experience.

Medical staff can also benefit from the features of the Ambient Experience Cath Lab with special diffuse lighting eliminating any shadows or reflections on monitors. This equal lighting distribution makes the room relaxing and soothing to a physician's eyes. Physicians also have the ability to check a patient's status before beginning the procedure using a mirror television placed in the preparation room, which helps to save time and allow the physician to immediately focus on the most important person in the room - the patient, thus increasing the human contact.

Demonstrating the value of the Ambient Experience
Hospitals can be at a competitive advantage if their patients' experience is pleasant. This is why Philips harnessed the capabilities of Philips Healthcare, Philips Consumer Lifestyle and Philips Lighting to create an experience that helps relax the patient and benefits the clinician and hospital.

By installing the Ambient Experience Cath Lab, the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center (KFSH) will be the first hospital in the region to be able to provide its patients with a more comfortable and privatised environment in a traditionally anxious situation.

As a leader in medical care in the Middle East and Gulf Region, KFSH will have a considerable advantage over other hospitals. Feedback from clinicians who have used the technology indicates that providing a positive environment makes a real difference for the patients. It speeds up the procedure as patients are more comfortable and relaxed and in some case it reduces the need for sedation - in particular among children.

A spokesperson from the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center explains: "We feel very privileged to be the first centre in the region to test this innovative technology which we feel will significantly improve the medical examination process. As the leading Medical Care facility in the region, we attend a huge number of patients each year. We want to maintain our high standards and patient focus and are positive the Ambient Experience Cath Lab will help facilitate this."

KFSH plans to perform all invasive cardiology adult & paediatric procedures in the Ambient Experience Cath Lab going forward, excepting the Electrophysiology cases for which KFSH has a dedicated Cath Lab.

Walter Van Kuijen, Philips CEO of Multi Country Region EMEA said: "The Middle East is a dynamic and hugely important marketplace and we want to be at the forefront of helping provide the highest quality healthcare to people in the region. The installation of the Ambient Experience Cath Lab at the King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Center is a perfect demonstration of our dedication to be a leader in healthcare technology in the Middle East."