Examining Critical Task Performance in Blue and Green Ambient Lighting Environments in Modern Interventional Suites: An Anesthetic Care Perspective

This study demonstrated that ambient blue and green lighting significantly impairs the ability of OR staff to distinguish color hues, compromising color-dependent decision-making. The Farnsworth D-15 Test confirmed that color hues become virtually indistinguishable under spectrally shifted lighting. Drug Label Matching Test performance declined to a lesser extent due to the presence of multiple identifiers on drug labels with increased reliance on noncolor cues. These findings underscore potential challenges in accurately assessing tissue perfusion and identifying medications, thereby elevating risks of medication errors. To address these concerns, strategies such as improved environmental lighting control, use of machine-readable drug labeling, or integration of augmented reality tools should be considered. Further research is warranted to explore clinical implications of spectrally shifted lighting and to evaluate solutions in real-world perioperative settings.