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Indicating shortcomings in surgical lighting systems.
Arjan J Knulst1, Rik Mooijweer, Frank W Jansen
1Delft University of Technology, Dept. of BioMechanical Engineering , Delft , The Netherlands. a.j.knulst@tudelft.nl
Summary
Surgeons frequently adjust surgical lights, interrupting procedures. Improvements should focus on reducing the need for and effort of light repositioning for better operating room efficiency.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Technology
- Human Factors Engineering
- Operating Room Management
Background:
- Surgeons report ergonomic issues with surgical lighting systems, but causes are unclear.
- Optimizing surgical lighting is crucial for procedure efficiency and safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the ergonomic problems associated with surgical lighting systems.
- To identify specific usability and illumination issues in operating room (OR) luminaires.
Main Methods:
- Direct observation and quantification of luminaire use during 46 hours of surgery.
- A questionnaire survey administered to OR staff across 13 hospitals regarding luminaire usability and illumination.
Main Results:
- Luminaire actions (LAs) occurred every 7.5 minutes, with 74% performed by surgeons/residents, interrupting tasks 64% of the time.
- Key issues include repositioning frequency, illumination levels, shadows, deep wound lighting, and kinematic aspects like force, aiming, and maneuverability.
Conclusions:
- Surgical lighting systems require improvements focused on minimizing luminaire repositioning frequency and effort.
- Addressing these ergonomic and usability factors can enhance OR workflow and potentially patient care.