Chroma Zona ergonomic lighting is composed of coloured and white light, specifically designed for operating and examination rooms. The lighting solution primarily consists of a powerful combination of complementary colours green and red. But what exactly makes these colours so effective in surgical environments?
When designing ergonomic lighting for operating theatres and examination rooms, incorporating complementary colours is an essential factor to consider. Not only do they enhance the surgeon's visual conditions and screen image but they also serve as an ideal tool for dividing the operating theatre into different light zones that support all work functions simultaneously. Additionally, these complementary colours establish a balanced and calming ambient light, crucial for creating a good and tranquil visual environment in the operating theatre. Overall, the complementary colours used in Chroma Zona ergonomic lighting contribute to creating a more supportive and healthy work environment.
What are Complementary Colours?
Before delving into the unique properties of complementary colours in operating theatres and examination rooms, let's first outline what complementary colours are. Complementary colours are pairs of colours that, when combined, cancel each other out. This means they produce a grayscale colour like white or black when mixed in the right proportions. Complementary colours are positioned opposite each other on the colour wheel, such as red and green, blue and orange, and yellow and purple (see wheel below).
Two colours placed next to each other on the colour wheel blend together as one. On the contrary, two colours placed opposite of each other complement and enhance each other – and this is a property that is particularly beneficial when designing ergonomic lighting.
Focus on the Entire Surgical Team
Different tasks in an operating theatre entail varying needs that require different lighting conditions, especially during keyhole surgery where procedures are conducted through screen work. Since the surgeon operates based on the screen image, the image must appear sharp and undisturbed – and this is where complementary colours can be utilized as a tool. The complementary colours red and green can be employed to optimize the contrast in the screen images, as well as highlight and tone down specific areas and objects in the operating theatre. Essentially, one can 'paint' the space with colours, making certain surfaces less prominent while making others more distinct. To ensure that the complementary colours in the ergonomic lighting have the desired effect, it is necessary to select the appropriate lighting setting in the operating theatre – depending on the positioning of both the surgeon and the screens.
Different Settings for Different Procedures
Although an operating theatre is optimized for a specific speciality, there are typically multiple procedures taking place in the room. This means that the surgeon's positioning in relation to the patient and the screens' placement in the room can vary depending on the procedure at hand. As a result, it is crucial to pre-program the ergonomic lighting for the different procedures occurring in the operating theatre, ensuring that the complementary colours always have the desired effect. Before surgery commences, it is essential to ensure that the correct lighting setting is chosen for the procedure, depending on where the surgeon and the screens are positioned in the room. Specifically, the red lighting should always be positioned behind the surgeon, while the green light should always be behind the screens. But why is this placement significant?
The Green Hue Behind the Screen
Placing the green colour behind the screen significantly enhances the quality of the images displayed, especially when showcasing organs, tissues, and fluids with varying shades of red. By positioning the green colour behind the screen, it effectively accentuates the red hues in the image since green is the complementary colour to red. This not only aids the surgeon in distinguishing between different shades of red on the screen but also ensures minimal distractions in the background, as the green-coloured lighting 'paints' the space, keeping the screen in ultimate focus. Consequently, the background does not detract from the surgeon's concentration, unlike if it were illuminated by white light, which would intensify all shadows and contrasts.
The Red Hue Positioned Behind the Surgeon
When the red hue is positioned in the space in front of the screen (behind the surgeon's back), reflections are minimized, ensuring uninterrupted screen work. This is because the red light seamlessly blends with the red tones in the screen image. Consequently, the reflections from the red light behind the surgeon disappear into the reddish hues on the screen. To optimize the sharpness of the screen image, it is essential to calibrate the optimal complementary colour for each screen image and type of room layout. However, there are also several other factors to consider when designing a well-balanced and ergonomic lighting system.
A Harmonious Operating Theatre
The combination of green and red contributes to creating a harmonious environment in the operating theatre. These complementary colours not only complement each other but also positively impact the visual experience and comfort of healthcare professionals. By reducing eye strain, headaches, and fatigue, the ergonomic lighting, primarily consisting of complementary colours, helps create an ideal visual setting, which is crucial during the often lengthy and intense surgical procedures. Furthermore, the colour combination reconciles the conflicting lighting preferences of surgeons and supporting staff during clinical procedures. Despite their diverse roles, the entire team shares a common need for accurate colour rendition. So, how does ergonomic lighting address this essential requirement?
A Broad Spectrum of Colours and White Spots
The complementary colours in ergonomic lighting are strategically designed to enhance colour rendition. In surgical and clinical procedures, precise colour perception is crucial for ensuring the quality of operations and minimizing the risk of errors. Without optimal colour rendition, it can be more challenging for the surgeon to perform their tasks, as well as for the anaesthesiologist to accurately assess the patient's skin tone.
For this reason, the coloured lighting in Chroma Zona ergonomic lighting is not saturated or monochromatic, but rather toned and unsaturated. The lighting consists of a combination of more colours than just the complementary colours red and green, creating what we refer to as broad-spectrum lighting. The broad-spectrum complementary colours in Chroma Zona ergonomic lighting have the unique property that the eye perceives them as whitish after adapting to them. This means that colour nuances can be seen more easily, ensuring a higher visual decoding. For tasks such as anaesthesia, where it is critical to have white light with high colour rendition to see skin tone, specific spots with white light are set up. However, the emission from the spot is controlled so as not to disturb the surgeon's work. In this way, the best possible conditions are ensured for everyone at once.