Think of smart features in a home setting. Lights, a television, a thermostat, and other items may be controlled by voice, a remote control, or other means. This can improve life in a variety of ways, and it eliminates the need to get up and do something manually. This can be especially important when you’re busy or in the middle of something important. How can smart devices improve the OR?
Features
What if you were planning lighting for an operating room? You might focus on something with dynamically-adjustable LED arrays that provide focused illumination to create optimal lighting conditions. It would be powered by voice commands, hand gestures, or a hand-held tracking device. That’s an example of what smart lights offer. It’s not just a dream; it’s the reality in some ORs and is on its way to others.
Smart lights have a lot to offer, and OR teams will welcome these features. In addition to offering the lowest shadiness and absolute homogeneity, smart lights increase the contrast effect and offer exact illumination of the wound field. These improvements make the OR function better for the entire surgical team, and that makes the process safer for the patient.
Other Benefits
Smart lighting has introduced other benefits, as well. For example, doctors, nurses, and clinicians report that in addition to improving their ability to see anatomical details, it has boosted their alertness and reduced stress levels. This is significant because they spend so many hours in the OR; if smart lighting offers these improvements, it can make a huge difference in their stamina, endurance, and overall job satisfaction.
And there’s another benefit that directly affects the bottom line. LED light bulbs are 90 percent more efficient, last 15 percent longer, and offer greater lifetime savings compared to traditional bulbs. In this way, smart lights offer green benefits and allow facilities to save on energy costs.
Surgical Headlights Are an Option
In some cases, even more light is needed. And sometimes that light needs to be even more focused. In those cases, many surgeons use surgical headlights, which offer lower heat emission, easy mobility, and hands-free adjustment. All of these factors can be very important, especially in a particularly difficult surgery.
The advantages don’t end there. They also provide superior light, portability, and freedom of movement, and they’re safe, green, and economical. That broadens their appeal even more and makes them a strong option in many ORs.
Have You Witnessed These Improvements?
At 365 Healthcare Staffing Services, we specialize in the recruitment and placement of healthcare professionals in per diem, travel, and permanent assignments in healthcare facilities across the country. If you’ve already seen smart lights in use in the OR, you’re familiar with the improvements. If not, you’ll know what to look for when you encounter them in an operating room. Are you looking for your next assignment? We can help. Call us at 310.436.3650, and let’s get started.
