Lighting assessment of ergonomic workstation for radio diagnostic reporting

Displays employed during the diagnostic assessment phase of a medical examination are required to having high performance. In order to ensure the appropriate performance to the users, not only the display, but the whole workstation should be properly planned. Particular attention should be paid to the ambient lighting conditions of the monitor, to avoid compromising the radiologist’s ability to observe the displayed images. The most important factor in radiologist performance in a reading room is a adequate lighting, both monitor brightness, and ambient. The aim of the study is to assess the lighting of some workstations used for diagnostic radiology reporting according to the guidelines of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) and Technical Standard EN 12464-1, in order to obtain information about the visual interaction between worker and device and to prevent potential health risks A detailed analysis of the lighting of adjustable and nonadjustable workstations used for reporting was carried out in the rooms of the Radiology Department at the “F. Lotti” Hospital in Pontedera (Pisa). The results obtained in the adjustable diagnostic room have shown that not all the lighting conditions within the room meet the quality standards. In the nonadjustable reporting station revealed the inadequacy of the lighting in the room by identifying an illumination risk. The preventative measure adopted to reduce the extent of the risk was the adoption of a LED supplementary lighting system. Once a situation compliant with standard requirements was identified, the analysis examined the visual sensations perceived by medical personnel by submitting an assessment questionnaire that confirmed the results of lighting measurements.