Republished by Scitop Ltd. All rights belong to the original publisher; see Source below.

A hospital visit can be stressful for anyone, but medical imaging can be especially intimidating for children. The unfamiliar equipment, clinical surroundings, and anticipation of a scan may create anxiety for both young patients and their parents.

Danat Al Emarat Hospital in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, wanted to make that experience more comfortable. In collaboration with HP, GE Healthcare, and Joseph Graphics, the hospital transformed a conventional CT scan room into a colorful, child-friendly environment designed to reduce the sense of isolation and unease associated with medical imaging.

The project demonstrates how large-format printing can help healthcare organizations create more welcoming spaces without compromising the practical requirements of a clinical environment.

Rethinking the CT scan experience

CT rooms are designed around safety, efficiency, and access to sophisticated medical equipment. As a result, they can often appear highly functional rather than warm or inviting. Plain walls, large scanning equipment, and unfamiliar sounds may be particularly overwhelming for children.

Danat Al Emarat Hospital recognized an opportunity to rethink the patient experience. Instead of leaving the CT room as a sterile, clinical space, the hospital wanted to create an environment that felt more approachable for mothers and children.

The design brief given to Joseph Graphics called for a colorful, underwater-themed room. The concept extended beyond the walls to include decorative elements and equipment covers, helping create a cohesive visual experience throughout the space.

The goal was not to distract from the medical procedure or obscure the equipment. Rather, the design was intended to make the room feel less intimidating and to give children something engaging to look at as they prepared for their scan.

Danat Al Emarat’s current medical imaging information describes the room as a collaborative project with HP and GE designed to minimize stress and the fear of isolation, particularly for children. The hospital continues to describe its imaging department as offering 128-slice multislice CT scanning and related diagnostic services.

Why HP Latex technology was selected

For a project inside a hospital, the printing technology and media are important considerations. Materials need to meet the visual requirements of the design while also supporting the environmental and operational needs of an indoor healthcare setting.

Joseph Graphics selected HP Latex technology for the project because it uses water-based inks and is designed for producing high-quality, durable graphics across a wide range of media. Unlike some traditional printing technologies, HP Latex printing can produce prints that are characterized as weak in odor intensity, although the final odor profile can vary depending on the media used.

This was particularly relevant for a hospital environment. Strong odors can make an enclosed room feel less comfortable, especially for children or patients who may already be anxious. HP says that applicable HP Latex inks have achieved UL GREENGUARD Gold certification for low chemical emissions into indoor air. The certification is intended to support use in sensitive indoor environments, including healthcare facilities, when the complete application and selected media are considered appropriately.

HP Latex printers also use a curing process that combines heat and airflow to dry and set the ink during production. As a result, prints can be ready for finishing or installation soon after they leave the printer. This helped Joseph Graphics complete the hospital room transformation in a relatively short period of time.

From printed graphics to a finished room

The project involved more than printing a mural. It required the design, production, finishing, and installation of graphics that could work around the CT scanner and other elements of the room.

Joseph Graphics brought the underwater concept to life through vibrant colors and playful imagery. Printed wall coverings helped replace the room’s plain appearance, while equipment graphics helped integrate the scanner into the overall design.

This approach illustrates an important advantage of large-format digital printing: graphics can be customized for a specific space rather than relying on standardized décor. A healthcare provider can develop a design around the age of its patients, the function of the room, and the atmosphere it wants to create.

At Danat Al Emarat, the selected design was created specifically with mothers and children in mind. By introducing color and visual storytelling, the finished room was intended to change the emotional tone of the patient experience before the scan began.

Designing for sensitive indoor spaces

Today, healthcare design increasingly considers more than appearance. Materials used in hospitals may need to support indoor air-quality goals, cleaning requirements, durability, fire-safety considerations, and infection-control procedures. Product suitability depends on the specific application, substrate, installation method, and facility requirements.

HP Latex technology can support a range of indoor applications, including wall décor, signage, window graphics, and other visual communication projects. HP also offers media designed for different applications, including options that can help print service providers evaluate recycled or alternative materials. However, the media—not just the ink—plays an important role in the final performance, odor, durability, and recyclability of a finished graphic.

HP’s current sustainability information highlights water-based HP Latex inks, UL ECOLOGO certification for certain ink sets, UL GREENGUARD Gold certification for applicable inks, and recycling programs whose availability varies by product and region.

For hospitals and other sensitive environments, organizations should work with qualified print and installation partners to confirm that the selected materials meet the facility’s technical and regulatory requirements.

A more positive patient experience

After the installation was completed, Danat Al Emarat Hospital described the transformed CT room as a more welcoming space for patients, families, and staff. The hospital’s goal was to make an unfamiliar medical procedure feel less intimidating by replacing an impersonal room with an environment designed around the needs of children.

The project also showed how healthcare spaces can use visual design as part of a broader patient-centered approach. A colorful room cannot eliminate the need for a CT scan, but it can influence how a patient feels when entering the space. For children, an engaging environment may provide a point of focus and make the room feel less unfamiliar.

The Danat Al Emarat project was completed in 2018, but its central idea remains relevant: thoughtful design can help healthcare providers create spaces that feel more human. With the right combination of creative direction, digital printing, durable media, and careful installation, a clinical environment can become more approachable without losing its functionality.

Source

- HP (2026-09-09) - Original article: HP Latex Printer Transforms a Children's Hospital - https://www.hp.com/us-en/tech-takes/healthcare/case-study/hp-latex-transforms-childrens-hospital.html