Kueck. "They also let you position monitors at a better angle and
cause less stress on your neck."
4. Change the OR's atmosphere
Make sure your teams stay comfortable and focused with gel-foam
anti-fatigue mats, says Dr. Kueck. "Your feet and back will hurt less
after using them, though time will tell if the rates of overuse injuries go
down with their continued use," she says.
Temperature battles are another common complaint. "It's a con-
stant struggle," says Dr. Kueck. "Surgeons often get overheated
while everyone else is freezing." Consider cooling/warming vests
that rely on circulating air or water to keep the user at their desired
temperature. The vests can be tethered to an electric source or bat-
tery-operated, or feature reusable frozen gel pads that stay cold for
several hours.
5. The human factor
While many devices are available to enhance your OR's comfort, don't
think that a simple purchase is a panacea for an uncomfortable work-
space. Identify your team's biggest complaints and address them with
better technology and training, says Dr. Peterson. "Look at the human
factor first," he says. "You don't want to just buy equipment you think
will help. Look at who you have and the training you do. Maybe you
need more simulation about how to approach the devices, or to train
staffers on when they should be taking breaks."
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