Heather D. Kooiker, DNP, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, CRNFA, CNMAP: Baxter International: Employment (full or part time) (Ongoing)
Learning Outcome: This educational activity aims to enhance perioperative nurses’ understanding of the safety implications of surgical overhead light design and placement, empowering them to implement practices that reduce the risk of thermal injury and improve patient outcomes.
Participants will gain the knowledge and tools needed to evaluate surgical lighting systems within their practice settings, promote safe equipment use, and advocate for environmental improvements that support patient and team safety.
Overview/Abstract: Surgical overhead lighting plays a vital role in operative visibility, but evolving research has uncovered hidden safety risks related to heat output, light positioning, and prolonged exposure. This presentation explores the findings of a recent interdisciplinary review and in depth research that examined how design features of surgical lights—particularly lighthead surface temperature and beam concentration—can contribute to unintended patient harm.
Attendees will learn about the outcomes of a formal risk assessment and product enhancement initiative that addressed these safety concerns through a combination of LED light safety knowledge, updated usage guidance, and staff education tools. Key takeaways include how improper light positioning can lead to localized thermal injury, the importance of clear labeling and warnings, and how perioperative teams can incorporate these findings into improved practice.
Drawing on an in-depth research and real-world clinical experiences, the session emphasizes the proactive role nurses can play in LED light safety. It will highlight techniques for evaluating light placement during time-outs, creating workflows that prioritize patient protection, and using visual aids and team communication to reinforce awareness.
By the end of this session, participants will have actionable strategies to enhance surgical light safety in their own OR environments, reduce risk exposure, and support a culture of continuous quality improvement and patient safety.
Description of Current State: Surgical overhead lights are a critical component of the perioperative environment, providing the illumination necessary for visual accuracy, surgical precision, and patient safety. With the evolution of light-emitting diode (LED) technology, today's surgical light systems deliver high-intensity, low-heat, and energy-efficient illumination. However, emerging safety concerns have revealed that certain design elements and usage patterns may introduce unintended risks to both patients and staff.
Recent field data and clinical observations have identified instances of localized thermal injury resulting from prolonged exposure to surgical lightheads—particularly when lights are positioned too close to the surgical site without beam adjustment or movement. These risks are compounded by inconsistent staff awareness of manufacturer guidelines, limited visual cues on equipment, and the absence of standard protocols for evaluating safe light positioning.
Despite the integral role of surgical lighting in the OR, safety-related education, labeling, and device redesign have not kept pace with clinical practice needs. As a result, perioperative teams may unknowingly expose patients to preventable harm.
This presentation addresses these gaps by sharing findings from recent research and real-world evaluations of surgical light systems and presenting actionable strategies for, staff training, and workflow integration to optimize safety.
Description of Desired/Achievable State: The desired state is an operating room environment where surgical overhead lighting is used with full awareness of its safety parameters, integrated into routine patient safety practices, and selected or adjusted with attention to both illumination and environmental impact.
Following this session, participants will be able to: - Identify and mitigate risks associated with surgical light placement, intensity, and exposure duration to reduce the likelihood of thermal injury. - Interpret and apply manufacturer guidelines regarding safe use of overhead surgical lighting systems, including appropriate positioning, distance, and beam focus. - Incorporate overhead lighting safety checks into preoperative time-outs and intraoperative workflow assessments. - Educate team members on how surgical lighting design affects patient safety and environmental conditions, fostering a culture of proactive safety.
In the achievable state, perioperative nurses will serve as champions of equipment safety, leveraging practical knowledge and evidence-based tools to improve outcomes and protect both patients and surgical staff.
Audience Engagement: To ensure a dynamic and interactive learning experience, this session will incorporate multiple engagement strategies designed to activate critical thinking, encourage peer-to-peer learning, and reinforce retention:
- Pre-Session Polling Questions: Attendees will participate in live, app-based polling at the beginning of the session to assess baseline awareness of surgical light safety risks, such as heat output and light positioning. - Real-World Scenario Walkthroughs: The presentation will include brief, narrated case scenarios, encouraging the audience to identify what went wrong and propose safer alternatives in real time. - Mid-Session Interactive Q&A: A moderated, mid-point Q&A break will invite attendees to reflect on their own OR practices, share relevant experiences, and ask clarification questions, fostering mutual insight. - Quick Knowledge Checks: Embedded throughout the session, 2–3 quick-response questions (via show of hands or polling software) will be used to re-engage attention and reinforce key takeaways. - Post-Test Reflection Poll: To assess learning and gauge shifts in perception, a short post-session poll will ask participants to re-answer select pre-test questions, offering visual feedback on knowledge gains. - Open Forum
Discussion: The session will conclude with an interactive Q&A period, providing attendees an opportunity to explore how the findings can be adapted into their own perioperative environments.
These techniques are designed to not only educate but empower nurses to return to their practice settings with practical, evidence-informed strategies for improving surgical lighting safety.
Additional Information: This presentation stems from research and real world clinical examples that highlights previously underrecognized risks related to LED surgical lighting systems. It focuses on preventing localized thermal injuries caused by prolonged exposure to high-intensity light beams, as well as the importance of clear labeling, proper light positioning, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines.
The session is designed to support perioperative teams in identifying modifiable risks associated with LED lighting use, incorporating light safety into preoperative checks, and advocating for engineering improvements that prioritize both patient safety and surgical performance.
The presenter, Dr. Heather Kooiker, DNP, MSN, RN, CNL, CNOR, CRNFA, CNMAP, brings a strong background in perioperative clinical practice, patient safety, and medical device education. Her experience in both clinical and product development settings makes her well-equipped to deliver actionable, nurse-led solutions.
Review considerations: - Direct alignment with AORN guidelines on safe use of medical devices, equipment handling, and thermal injury prevention - Practical and scalable solutions for any OR environment - New and relevant education on the implications of advanced LED systems in surgical care
Speaker Requirements: - Podium with microphone and AV capability for PowerPoint presentation - Support for video playback (if applicable) - Audience response technology or app-based polling (if available) - Q&A microphone setup for attendee participation
Content/Topics: Introduction Importance of surgical lighting in modern ORs
Overview of LED technology in surgical lights
Purpose and scope of the session
2. Understanding LED Light Systems Key design features of LED surgical lights
Comparison with traditional lighting technologies
Common usage patterns and positioning techniques
3. Identified Safety Risks Thermal injury from prolonged exposure to high-intensity light
Background: Major LED Surgical Lights.” ECRI, https://d84vr99712pyz.cloudfront.net/p/images1/ecri-trusted-voice-healthcare.jpg. Accessed 18 Mar. 2023. 2. Curlin, Jahnavi, and Charles K. Herman. “Current State of Surgical Lighting.” The Surgery Journal, vol. 6, no. 2, June 2020, pp. e87–97. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0040-1710529. 3. Bansal, Hemant, et al. “Operating Light Burn in an Orthopaedic Surgery: A Case Report.” Indian Journal of Orthopaedics, vol. 56, no. 3, Sept. 2021, pp. 510–13. PubMed Central, https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-021-00497-0. 4. Yoo, Saerom. “Silverton Health: Lights Burned Patients during Surgery.” Statesman Journal, https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/ news/2015/01/21/silverton-health-lights-burned-patients-surgery/22118569/. Accessed 23 Apr. 2023. 5. “Medical Devices: Who Needs to Read Device Instructions?” Patient Safety & Quality Healthcare, 6 May 2014, https://www.psqh.com/news/ medical-devices-who-needs-to-read-device-instructions/. 6. “Medications and Other Agents That Increase Sensitivity to Light.” Wisconsin Department of Health Services, 11 July 2013, https://www.dhs. wisconsin.gov/radiation/medications.htm.
