The new X-ray room at Skejby's Imaging Department is a hit among the staff, and one of the main reasons is the Ergonomic Lighting that has been installed. Overseeing physician Sten Langfeldt is certain that all users of the room benefit greatly from the revolutionary Ergonomic Lighting, originally developed for use in operating rooms.
The principle behind Ergonomic Lighting is to cater to simultaneous functionality in the room through individually tailored colored lighting, which creates optimal working conditions for each individual. Much of what we do revolves around monitors with grayscale images. By implementing colored lighting, the images appear sharper with clearer contours and more distinct contrasts. The results are surprisingly positive, as stated by overseeing physician Sten Langfeldt.
— As an interventional radiologist, I spend the majority of my time on procedures. One example where we have benefited from Ergonomic Lighting is a recent intervention we performed. We had to close a hole in a patient's aortic aneurysm. Through two incisions in the groin, we inserted a guidewire and placed an aortic stent firmly, sealing the hole. This type of procedure requires a multidisciplinary effort, with input from Anesthesia, Surgical Operating Room, Vascular Surgery, and Radiology. We operate with fluoroscopy and monitor the procedure on the screen. The anesthesiologist needs white light to easily locate the blood vessels and monitor the patient's facial color. The assistants on the floor need clear light to find the necessary tools. Interventional radiologists and vascular surgeons rely on the images they see on the monitor, which is where Ergonomic Lighting becomes a crucial factor.
No glare and razor-sharp contrasts
— The colored light behind the monitors makes a tremendous difference for me. It's incredibly pleasant. The alternative would be to completely dim the light, eliminating any distracting glare. Working in the dark is not a viable solution, especially for those who need to locate and pass on the right equipment, Sten Langfeldt confirms.
— Ergonomic Lighting works by influencing how our brains and eyes perceive colors. The monitors display grayscale images, which means we're essentially in a black and white landscape. It's similar to skiing; when it gets cloudy or darker, it becomes harder to navigate. That's where yellow or red ski goggles come in, enhancing contrasts and making everything clearer. In addition to reducing screen glare and enhancing contrast on objects, Ergonomic Lighting also minimizes eye strain. Everyone is satisfied with the new lighting – including the cleaning staff, who have their own bright white light, and the patients, who benefit from a soft golden version. Everything is zone-controlled from a centrally programmed panel. We avoid constantly turning lights on and off, preventing our eyes from constantly adjusting to changes. Instead, we have constant light tailored to each work function, he explains.
Improved working conditions lead to better results
— We started using this room in the summer of 2007, and it is equipped with the most modern equipment worth 5-6 million kroner. When such a large budget is allocated, the physical environment in which the equipment is placed is often overlooked, notes Sten Langfeldt, continuing:
— The room needs to be designed appropriately, including the lighting. We have had an excellent collaboration with a project manager from the medical technology department, who has coordinated everything from specifications to warranty, service, installation, and more. Of course, the hospital management and the medical technology department are involved in an investment of this magnitude for an X-ray room. In the department, we have discussed the most advantageous layout in terms of the physical work environment. We have safety representatives from both management and employees. The safety group reports centrally, and their efforts are systematized. The term ergonomics may not initially be associated with lighting. It usually refers to avoiding lifting injuries and tripping on loose wires. But here, it's about how light can provide better working conditions in the X-ray room – and thus better results for the patient. Our results are so good that there have already been several interested parties wanting to see Ergonomic Lighting in action. When it comes to any new design or renovation, lighting should be considered. This applies to both new construction and renovations. When we spend millions on a room like this, the lighting needs to be perfect, he concludes.
Cost-effective with significant impact
Chief physician Marianne Egeblad, at the Imaging Department, supports Sten Langfeldt's positive experience with Ergonomic Lighting.
— A large part of our work time is spent looking directly at a screen, which used to be much more straining. Since we have installed Ergonomic Lighting, our eyes feel less tired, allowing us to concentrate for longer periods of time, says Marianne Egeblad.
— It has been shown that Ergonomic Lighting is useful in several areas of the department, and it has a positive impact on the daily lives of many staff members. In addition to the X-ray room itself, we have also installed Ergonomic Lighting in our "description room," where we analyze the images taken. I often sit there myself, and I have noticed that after the installation of Ergonomic Lighting, I can tolerate sitting there for much longer. In the past, we would partially turn down the desk lamps to avoid glare on the screen, or we would turn off the lights completely, which was inconvenient for the rest of the staff. It's great to be free from that. The staff also greatly benefits from Ergonomic Lighting on the angiographic workstation, where the images that need to be sent further into the system are improved. The work here is also done on a grayscale screen. In summary, Ergonomic Lighting for the Imaging Department is a small expense with a significant effect. The workday becomes calmer, and the lighting can be customized for all functions, concludes Marianne Egeblad.