Why are Hospitals White?

If you have seen any health care professional or a worker, then you might observe them wearing white. Irrespective of what they wear, doctors wear white, and the hospital floors and walls are white. But have you wondered what does white mean in a hospital? There are a lot of confusion and myths involved pertaining to why are hospitals white. If you don’t know them then better read this article and come up with a conclusion.

1. What do the Colours Mean in a Hospital?

There are different colours used in hospitals that define the significance of that colour. Healthcare industries use colour codes in different ways. Here are some colour codes that are frequently used in hospitals and can give you an idea about what do the colours mean in a hospital.

• Code Blue – Code blue defines an adult emergency and an immediate requirement of CPR is needed. This code is actually used if someone is almost dead and used as an initiative to save them.
• Code Red – Red is a sign of danger in general. Therefore, if you see code red in the hospital that signifies that the building is under fire and needs to be evacuated immediately.
• Code Green – It is a behavioural emergency for the patients and needs to be addressed immediately.
• Code Orange – It means that there has been a very harmful chemical release in the environment.
• Code Pink – Pink often relates to kids. If you see code pink then probably there is an infant kidnapping.
• Code Grey – This is usually related to infrastructure failure in the hospital.

2. Why White Colour is Used in Hospitals?

Why are hospitals white? Since almost every hospital or healthcare facility unit is white colour, people often have this doubt about why white colour is used in hospitals. White colour symbolises peace and purity. Therefore, the hospital uses white to appear clean and neat. Practically if you see that hospitals are white and that makes you feel safe and pure. The inner feeling itself gives you a sense of purity. Read Why are Hospitals Kept So Cold?

3. Why are Mental Hospitals White?

Mental hospitals use white colours to keep patients calm and quiet. Other colours can be a little stimulating for patients. Another reason can be that white is cheaper to purchase.

4. Which Colour is Best for the Hospital?

Blue is often used by all healthcare professionals. You might have seen doctors and something related to healthcare is always blue. Blue color is associated with qualities of trustworthiness, trust, expertise, power, professionalism, cleanliness, calmness, and attention. The medical community values them. (See 20 camouflage colors and patterns)

5. Why are Hospitals White?

Usually, all hospitals have white walls which make people wonder why are hospitals white. This is because a lot of patients are visually impaired or have subnormal vision. Luckily, white ensure maximum contrast which further promotes the best possible vision. 

6. What Colour is for Mental Health?

Colour psychology is an important consideration when thinking about how the environment affects our mental health. It considers how a different colour might influence our mental state, our emotions and behaviours. The health of people depends on colour because of how it affects mood. For instance:

• Blue and green create a calm atmosphere.
• Orange and yellow stimulate appetite.
• Pink and red are for energy and passion.
• Purple can boost productivity.

7. Why do Surgeons Wear Green?

Although it may seem insignificant at first, there is a reason why surgeons wear green in the operation theatre. Initially, the horrifying sight of red blood stains on white clothes disturbed surgeons deeply and interfered with them psychologically. By the 1950s, this white slowly gave way to green surgical clothes which made the whole process at least bearable. Moreover, white also caused less eye fatigue. Check out What do Mexican People Wear? 

8. Why are Hospitals Scary?

A lot of people are scared of hospitals. This is because hospitals are associated with illness, pain and eventually death. However, it is not so natural to overlook these things and move ahead. However, white can be a soothing colour for some people. Now you can easily understand what does white mean in a hospital.

9. Why are Hospital Rooms Pink?

The pink hospital room means that they are specially built for the newly born and for keeping an infant. 

10. What is Code Pink in a Hospital?

Since we already know what do the colours mean in a hospital, we should pay more attention to the dominant colours around us. For instance, as stated earlier, if it is a pink code, then it is related to infant abduction. In other words, an infant who is 12 days old has been kidnapped or is missing. Must read What is Difference between Public Health and Population Health?

11. Does White have Positive and Negative Meanings Attached?

Yes, if you know why white colour is used in hospitals, then you should also know that it has certain positive and negative connotations. White can convey a variety of good meanings. On one side, white signifies a new start. On the other hand, white is a negative connotation of being alone and stark. If you see a room large, empty and white, it may seem dull, uninteresting, harsh, and may even personify loneliness.

12. Is the Dress Code for Doctors Important?

Yes, dress codes for doctors are important as you see the reason why are hospitals white. A doctor-patient interaction is considered to be the basis of medical care. Physician dress is a status symbol as well as a way to protect oneself.

Now you must be clear about why are hospitals white. White symbolises different things in a person’s life. It could be negative and also positive. White is used to helping visually impaired people. There are several colours in the hospital that signifies different things. If you are inside a hospital don’t wonder why are they so similar everywhere.