The Operating Theatre Journal - Flipbook - Page 16
New lighting improves working conditions and
enhances the quality of surgeries in Uppsala
Reduced stress and improved working
conditions are just some of the bene昀椀ts
experienced by the staff at the Ear, Nose, and
Throat Clinic at Akademiska Sjukhuset Uppsala,
where a specially designed ergonomic lighting
system has been installed.
Just two months ago, it was not uncommon
to see Doctor and Surgeon Adnan Lidian
performing surgeries in a darkened operating
theatre.
— In the old operation department where
we had been for many years, we had
no possibility to adjust the lighting in
the room. It was either very bright or
completely dark, which is not ideal for our
type of surgery, he says and continues:
— The old lighting was problematic as it
didn’t provide suf昀椀cient visibility. There
were re昀氀ections from the screens, and
if we made the room completely dark, it
would negatively impact the rest of the
operation staff who wouldn’t be able to
see their instruments. The lighting made it
demanding and stressful for everyone.
The Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic primarily
deals with nose and sinus surgery, which
involves the use of equipment such as cameras
and screens. This technical equipment
places signi昀椀cant demands on the lighting,
which, according to Adnan Lidian, should be
ergonomic.
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— When you’re dealing with this type of
surgery, where we operate from screens
and investigate airways and noses,
ergonomic lighting should be a priority
from the beginning. Ergonomic lighting
makes details on the screen easier to see
and creates better contrasts in the images.
As staff, we become more relaxed and less
stressed, our eyes function better, and
most importantly, we see better. All of
this allow us to operate more quickly and
effectively, he explains.
But it’s not just the surgeons who have noticed
a signi昀椀cant improvement in the department’s
environment.
A department for everyone
In addition to being tailored to the staff, the
lighting in the new operating theatre at the
Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic has also been
designed to create a more comforting and
relaxing atmosphere for patients.
— The lighting isn’t just this red and green
ergonomic light. It also includes custom
lighting settings for patients. When they
enter the theatre, there’s a slight dimmer
which feels warmer and cozier than the
old cold light. It also has a positive effect
on me, and it feels more pleasant, says
Christer Larsson, who is a surgical nurse in
the department.
THE OPERATING THEATRE JOURNAL
Christer
Larsson,
responsible
for
instrumentation
during
surgeries,
also
experiences the many bene昀椀cial effects of
ergonomic lighting.
— Now, I haven’t instrumented many times
in this theatre, but it’s easier to see, and
it’s easier to follow the operation. It’s not
as straining, especially for the eyes, he
explains.
The lighting in the operating theatre was
designed and developed by the innovation
company Chromaviso, specialists in evidencebased lighting for the healthcare sector.
Adnan Lidian also mentions that the staff was
involved throughout the entire process.
— We
invited
Chromaviso
into
the
department, where we together found a
solution that suited our theatres very well,
he says and concludes:
— It has been a signi昀椀cant improvement. We
昀椀nally feel like we’re working in a more
modern OR department.
Video from the Ear, Nose, and Throat Clinic at
Akademiska Sjukhuset Uppsala
Listen to Adnan and his colleague Christer
talk more about the ergonomic lighting
in this video: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=sk6N3wB5GuU
Check out our new website:
www.chromaviso.com
www.otjonline.com