Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 17.11
Criteria for Education of Perioperative Team Members
There are no standards or professional guidelines established for certifi cation or validation of perioperative personnel working with
healthcare lasers. The following suggestions are recommendations only.
Three groups of staff requiring education and training include:
1. Personnel who may be exposed incidentally to lasers in the operating room or laser treatment area but who do not have direct responsibil-
ity for operating the laser, maintaining the laser safe environment, or caring for the patient, should attend a basic inservice that covers:
a. Introduction to the types of lasers, accessory equipment, and instrumentation in use in the facility.
b. Safety hazards and control measures
c. Relevant national, state, and professional standards
d. Hospital policies and procedures
2. Personnel who work in a laser room, but do not operate the systems should have the above stated education with additional coverage of:
a. Appropriate clinical applications for each laser
b. Mechanisms of action of each wavelength
c. Organization and administration of the laser safety program
d. Documentation
e. Procedures for establishing and maintaining a laser safe environment
3. Personnel who operate the laser equipment should have all of the above with further training including:
a. Hands-on experience with each laser system, delivery systems, accessory equipment, instrumentation, and safety equipment
b. Completion of skills validation checklists
c. Completion of (number) cases with a certifi ed preceptor
d. Approval and sign-off by the LSO
4. All personnel should be required to participate in an annual continuing education program, with satisfactory completion documented by
the LSO. This can be any professional activity if focused on current laser issues or safety issues.
Table 17.12
Laser Safety Offi cer: Statement of Authority
I. Scope of Authority
The primary responsibility for administering the facility's laser safety program shall be delegated to the Laser Safety Offi cer (LSO), and in
his/her absence, the Deputy LSO. The LSO receives authority directly from the President of the facility, to accomplish all program activities
and to intervene, if necessary, in the event of imminent danger or noncompliance with stated policies and procedures.
II. Scope of Responsibility
Specifi cally, the responsibilities of the LSO include, but may not be limited to:
a. Management of the Laser Safety Program
b. Knowledgeable evaluation of hazards
c. Control of hazards in accordance with organizational policy, regulatory agencies, and consensus standards
d. Identifi cation of program revisions and enhancements
e. Establish a formal audit system, and assure its monitoring activity
f. Communication of audit fi ndings, defi ciency, and recommendations, as a result of program audit and management
g. Provide appropriate education, training, and competency validation, to maintain required registration, licensure, credentialing and
certifi cation
h. Establish facility policies, procedures, and documentation methods
i. Participate on facility Laser Committee
j. Provide technical and clinical resources and support as needed
III. Limit of Authority
The LSO is a primary resource to the President, CEO, and all other personnel in support of the organization's goal of providing a safe and
effective environment of patient care. The CEO is ultimately responsible for organizational safety through a laser risk management program.
The organization has appointed __________ as the LSO, and ____________ as the deputy LSO in his/her absence. The term of appoint-
ment is not limited, and will be reviewed periodically by the Administrator.
IV. Authority to Cross Departmental Boundaries
The LSO shall have the authority to cross all departmental boundaries in order to accomplish facility-wide enforcement of approved policies
and procedures, and to resolve situations of hazard, imminent danger, and noncompliance. At times, this may require the collaboration of
the Administrator On Call.
Signed by Appropriate Facility Administrator
references
1. American National Standards Institute, ANSI Z136.3-2011, ISBN #978-0-
9122035-69-7.
2. The Joint Commission, Environment of Care Standards EC: 02.02.01.
3. United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health
Administration: 29CFR 1910, OSH Act 1970.
4. Blood Borne Pathogens 29CFR1910.1030.
5. 1910.2(f) “Standard” defi nitions (basis for using ANSI standards).
[Available from: www.OSHA.gov]
6. Canadian Standards Association, Z305-13.09 Plume Scavenging in
Surgical, Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Aesthetic Settings.
7. International Federation of Perioperative Nurses Guideline for
Management of Surgical Plume. [Available from: www.IFPN,org.uk]
