According to Yvonne Hansen at Nyborg Sygehus, Ergonomic Lighting is the answer to every surgical nurse's dream of better lighting conditions.
The state-of-the-art laparoscopic surgical operating room at Nyborg Sygehus was inaugurated in November 2006. All equipment is consolidated in columns, and everything is suspended from the ceiling, keeping the floor free from cables. The sterile touchscreens enable central control of all technical functions, while the video management system allows for live transmission of surgeries. As part of the comprehensive solution, the room is equipped with Ergonomic Lighting, ensuring optimal lighting conditions for all functions in the room. Yvonne Hansen, a surgical nurse, has been a superuser since the beginning. After several years, she has no doubt when her many colleagues ask, "What would you choose if you couldn't have it all?" In her eyes, Ergonomic Lighting from Chromaviso is indispensable.
The impact of lighting is unparalleled
As a superuser in the state-of-the-art surgical operating room, Yvonne Hansen has lost count of the number of demonstrations she has conducted. She explains,
— The room was established on the initiative of Chief Physician Keld Christensen. The agreement was that it would be used for demonstrations for interested colleagues from all over the country - and there have been many. The novelty value is still there - and our enthusiasm is intact. Everyone in the department - without exception - prefers to work in the high-tech room. We also have a traditional operating room in comparison. Time and time again, I find myself talking about the lighting 80% of the time. Because it truly makes a difference. When I'm in the old room, it's the lighting I miss the most. Ergonomic Lighting from Chromaviso is the answer to every surgical nurse's dream of better lighting conditions.
Versatile and functionally divided lighting
— The Ergonomic Lighting is divided according to the functions in the room, ensuring optimal lighting conditions for everyone, explains Yvonne Hansen.
— Previously, we had to dim the lights to semi-darkness in order for the screen image to appear sharp enough. But luckily, that's now a thing of the past with the Ergonomic Lighting. Instead, each function has its own special zone color. The area around the surgeon and their screen, for example, has a greenish hue because it's particularly suitable for highlighting contrasts on the screen. The anesthetist has white light to see clearly when administering injections and to observe the patient's natural skin tone. The operating nurse has a reddish light, which is much more pleasant to work in compared to the dim darkness we used to move around in. The cleaning staff have extra bright white light to see every speck of dust. There's also a soft golden patient light that has a calming effect. The genius part is that the lighting is flexible, so it can be used for all types of surgeries. We control everything from a centralized and pre-programmed panel, and it works really well. At first, I thought the colored lights were just a clever gimmick to be trendy—some gadget nonsense. But as soon as I tried it in action, I could see the huge difference it makes. Especially for us nurses, it's a revolution, she says.
Different Focuses of Professional Groups
— I have noticed that regardless of how outdated an operating room may be, the doctor always has the advantage. If there is only one screen, it is naturally the doctor who has it. This is understandable, as without the doctor, there would be no surgery. Therefore, special considerations are made. When the lights are dimmed, it is the nurses who fumble in the darkness. It is many hours spent with strained eyes every day. Nurses spend longer periods of time in the operating room, almost twice as long. We handle preparations, patient readiness, transitions between surgeries, and completion. The actual time spent performing surgery in a day is approximately four hours. As nurses, we have a more intimate relationship with the room, which is why improved lighting conditions make a huge difference for us. Our eyes are not strained, and we experience less headaches. This leads to better well-being and increased endurance. While fewer sick days cannot be proven, it seems obvious. There is no doubt that nurses function better in the room with Ergonomic Lighting. The difference is even more significant for us. Overall, well-being is something we prioritize as a professional group. There is certainly a difference in the focus of doctors and nurses, and I notice this clearly during demonstrations, Yvonne Hansen explains.
Let your doctor fall in love first
— When a delegation visits Nyborg to observe our state-of-the-art surgical operating room, it usually consists of 3-4 doctors, a few nurses, and sometimes an anesthesiologist. The group often attends one of the last surgeries of the day. There is a clear tendency for the doctors to focus on the surgery itself, while the nurses pay attention to the setup and practical aspects. Nurses ask questions about what it's like to be in the room for a whole day. They inquire about training and handling, equipment stability, frequency of malfunctions, repair issues, hygiene, and practicality. As soon as they hear about the lighting and see it in action, they become instantly enthusiastic. They recognize the benefits and potential for increased well-being. Doctors, on the other hand, have a different focus - they are interested in the hard facts, such as the ability to control everything from the screen in the sterile area. As I mentioned earlier, Ergonomic Lighting greatly benefits nurses. But in order to successfully implement Ergonomic Lighting in your own room, your doctor must first fall in love with it. Let your doctor and anesthesiologist see it in use - and have them talk to others who use the lighting on a daily basis. The next best thing after a demonstration is word-of-mouth recommendations, according to Yvonne Hansen.
More high-tech equipment in the future
— We were given the state-of-the-art room and the Ergonomic Lighting at the same time. Initially, I saw it as a complete solution, but now I believe that Ergonomic Lighting on its own can easily upgrade an old operating room, Yvonne Hansen explains before concluding,
— For our Room 4, for example, I would choose Ergonomic Lighting and a suspended side screen. It would greatly enhance the existing room. Unfortunately, ordering equipment has become more complicated due to the new regional formations. We have to share the available resources among many. But hopefully, the procedures will become smoother over time. One thing is certain, more and more high-tech equipment will be coming to the departments in the future.