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H E A D L I G H T S
and ready to go.
The higher the amount of lumens a cordless headlight generates, the more power it needs, so the bigger — and heavier — its battery. That could be an ergonomic issue for physicians with lower back problems. Also keep in mind that the lithium batteries that power headlights have limited life spans and will eventually stop holding their charges, so you'll have to budget for replacements, at about $500 each, throughout the life of your headlights.
Some cordless LED headlights can be powered through a thin 12foot cable attached to a small transformer, in the unlikely event both sets of batteries are unavailable or if surgeons don't want to wear battery packs around their waists. The extended cable is lightweight because it's copper-based, unlike the heavier fiber-optic cables attached to xenon headlights, and offers a degree of freedom around the surgical field.
5 Durability
Many headlights are guaranteed for 5 years, and most companies provide complimentary loaners if the primaries malfunction and need to be sent for repair. Still, it's probably best to outfit your ORs with enough headlights that you limit wear and tear on individual units, or to invest in enough headsets so each surgeon has his own and is charged with ensuring it lasts.
We've found that tethered xenon models better withstand punishment from constant use, although their fiber-optic cables can break easily, especially if they're accidently run over by a cart or stepped on by a nurse or tech.
It's human nature: You take the best care of the things you own. Would you ever consider asking your surgeons to invest their own money in the headlights they prefer? That's not outlandish to request.
