What is a good practice to use when installing an AP in a hospital room or dormitory where people sleep?

Disabling the LEDs on the access point (AP) and only temporarily enabling them when troubleshooting is a good practice in sleep environments such as hospital rooms or dormitories. The reason this is considered a best practice is primarily due to the impact of light on human comfort and sleep quality. In spaces designed for rest, bright or flashing lights can be disruptive to individuals trying to sleep, potentially leading to discomfort or disturbances in their rest.

By turning off the LEDs, the AP minimizes light pollution, creating a more conducive atmosphere for relaxation and sleep. This approach allows for a balance between maintaining connectivity and ensuring that individuals in those environments are not disturbed by unnecessary light emissions.

While maximizing power for coverage can seem beneficial, it could lead to interference with other devices, adding noise in a sensitive environment. Placing an AP too close to a bed may cause excessive signal strength and can also interfere with sleep quality due to possible electromagnetic exposure concerns. Lastly, using open channels to avoid interference is technically sound but does not specifically address the sensitivity of people in sleep settings where light sources are more relevant.