The following praiseed practices w...

The following praiseed practices were developed by the AORN attract favor toed Practices Committee and have been approved by means of the AORN Board of Directors. They were not past nor futureed as proposed recommended practices for remark by members and others. They are effective Jan 1 2004

These commended practices are intended as achievable recommendations representing what is believed to be an optimal even of practice. Policies and conducts will reflect variations in practice settings and/or clinical situations that determine the grade to which the recommended practices can be implemented.

AORN recognizes the numerous models of settings in which perioperative supply with nourishments practice. These recommended practices are intended as guidelines adaptable to various practice settings. These practice settings include traditional ORs, ambulatory surgery units, physicians' offices, cardiac catheterization suites, endoscopy suites, radiology departments, and all other areas where operative and other invasive measures may be performed.

intention These recommended practices provide guidance to assist practitioners in providing a safe environment for patients and health care workers expos to a laser environment. This document incorporates activities described in the American National Standards Institute's (ANSI's) American National Standard for the Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities, which specifies standards for the use of class 3 and class 4 laser devices in the health care environment. Health care facilities are encouraged to obtain a duplicate of the ANSI document and have it readily available for respect in the practice environment.

approveed PRACTICE I

A laser safety program should be established for private practitioners and/or health care facilities.

1 According to ANSI, facilities in which laser performances are performed must develop a laser safety program to include, on the other hand not be limited to,

* delegation of authority and responsibility for supervising laser safety to a laser safety officer;

* establishment of use criteria and authorized acts for all health care personnel working in laser nominal hazard zones;

* identification of laser hazards and appropriate mastery measures;

* education of personnel (ie, operators and others) regarding assessment and rule of hazards; and

* management and reporting of accidents or incidents related to laser processs including action plans to obviate recurrences.

2. Incidents of safety regulation violation should be reported to the laser safety officer and reviewed by way of the safety committee. (1)

3 persons working in a laser environment should have knowledge of the established laser safety program.

commended PRACTICE II

Personnel working in laser environments should demonstrate commensurate with their responsibilities. Education programs should be specific to laser bodys used and procedures performed in the facility.

1 Program criteria and contented should be in accordance with applicable standards; the facility's policies and procedures; and federal, state, and local regulations.

2 Personnel should be required to demonstrate laser periodically and when new laser equipment, accessories, or safety equipment is purchased or brought into the practice environment.

3 The laser safety program should provide participants with a thorough understanding of laser performances and the technology required for establishing and maintaining a safe environment during laser procedures

4 Educational activities should be documented and maintained forward file in the facility. (1)

praiseed PRACTICE III

All tribe should know where lasers are being used, and access to these areas should be controlled

1 A nominal hazard belt (ie, the space in which the horizontal of direct, reflected, or scattered radiation used during normal laser operation overstep the proper limits the applicable maximum permissible exposure) should be identified to hinder unintentional exposure to the laser beam.

* The laser safety officer can determine the nominal hazard girdle with reference from ANSI Z1361 and ANSI Z1363 as well as the safety information supplied at the laser manufacturer. (1)

* The nominal hazard belt usually is contained within the compass but may extend through make open doors and/or transparent windows, depending forward the type of laser used.

* Personnel in the nominal hazard clime should be aware of all laser safety precautions that are implemented to avoid inadvertent aspect to laser hazards. (1)

2 Regulation laser signs should be placed at all entrances to laser treatment areas when these areas are in service.

* Recognizable warning signs specific to the stamp of laser being used should be designed according to the information described in American National Standards for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care Facilities. (1)

* Warning signs should be placed conspicuously to alert bystanders of potential hazards.

* Signs should be remov when the laser manner of proceeding is completed. (2)

3 Doors in the nominal hazard baldric should remain closed, and windows, including door windows, should be shrouded with a barrier that moulds transmission of a beam as appropriate to the exemplar of laser being used. (2)