Cone Instruments will be at RSNA

Cone Instruments will be exhibiting at the 2010 RSNA, Booth #3506 in the South Hall. Be sure to stop by our booth to speak with our product managers, learn about the new products we're offering, and discuss how we can help your business grow in 2011 and beyond.

RSNA 2010 will be taking place November 28 - December 3 at McCormick Place, Chicago. We look forward to seeing you there.

Environmental Factors in Ergonomics

Radiologists are spending more time at their workstations, and with that, increasing the risk for career-ending repetitive motion injuries.  Along with ergonomically designed equipment, the environmental aspects of the room (lighting, HVAC, acoustics, etc.) need to also be addressed.  Be sure to follow these environmental ergonomic practices to reduce the risk:

Lighting
To reduce pupil fatigue, ambient luminance (room lighting) should be equal to the average luminance of the images on the workstation.  Whenever possible, low-glare lighting should be used.  This can be achieved with indirect lighting reflected from the ceiling, walls, etc.   
Be sure to keep a small lamp nearby for tasks not associated with the workstation (reading books, paperwork, etc.).  The task lighting should be switchable, dimmable and flexible to direct the lighting to a certain area.

HVAC
Architects and engineers should know the number of workstations and people that are going to be in the reading room before designing it.  Because people are a source of heat, they have a direct impact in determining the HVAC requirements for a room. 
If an additional number of employees are utilizing the reading room since it has been built, it’s best to keep your maintenance staff informed of the changes to make adjustments where necessary.

Acoustics
For optimal reading room acoustics, glossy, hard surfaces should be avoided.  To combat this, add cloth-covered partitions or furniture with cushions/cloth can be added to absorb the sound and reduce echos.    

Remember, it’s not only the equipment that can make or break the ergonomic soundness of a room.  A properly designed workspace can increase both employee efficiency and job satisfaction, and the above guidelines don’t have to break the budget.