AB028. SOH26AB_0446. An audit of radiology reading room ambient light levels at a model 3 hospital

Background: Radiologists rely heavily on visual accuracy, making optimal lighting in reading rooms essential. Traditional film reading used bright lightboxes in dim rooms, whereas modern softcopy reading with liquid-crystal display (LCD) monitors introduces challenges such as lower overall brightness and increased reflections. Suboptimal ambient lighting can contribute to eye fatigue, reduced visual acuity, and an increased risk of diagnostic errors. The aim of this study was to audit radiology reading room ambient light levels in a model 3 hospital.

Methods: A calibrated light meter was used to measure ambient lighting in all radiology reading rooms at University Hospital Kerry. Measurements were taken at the centre of each monitor with the screen turned off and the meter facing outward. Mean ambient light values for each room were compared with the American College of Radiology (ACR) Task Force 18 recommendations.

Results: Room 1: 16 [9] lux; Room 2: 19 lux; Room 3: 11 [4] lux; Room 4: 10 [3] lux; Room 5: 32 lux; Room 6: 5 lux; Room 7: 11 lux; Room 8: 15 lux. Mean ambient lighting: 14.9 lux. Most rooms fell below the ACR-recommended 20–40 lux range.

Conclusions: The majority of radiology reading rooms did not meet ACR ambient lighting guidelines. Results and guideline summaries are being displayed outside each room to increase awareness, and a re-audit is planned. As radiology technology evolves, particularly with the potential adoption of organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, lighting recommendations may require re-evaluation to ensure diagnostic accuracy and visual comfort.

Keywords: Ambient light levels; diagnostic radiology; light meter; radiology; visual acuity