Implementing the ANSI Z136.3 standard in health care facilities

Abstract

With emerging technologies such as lasers in medicine and surgery, we must be innovative, react quickly to market pressures, and provide new instrumentation and equipment. This technology provides financial incentives to the user and facility; coupled with the need to establish a knowledge base, training, credentialing modification to ensure a safe environment. These are just some of the challenges facing those within the laser industryThe literature is full of reasons justifying the use of lasers in medicine and surgery. Various articles outline the safe use of lasers and an understanding of implementation of safety programs, to protect the user and the patient during laser procedures.Individuals responsible to ensure safety will need to become knowledgeable in implementation; not only in the technical implementations, but also in the various strategies of implementation.We would like to think that the Z136.3 document is not hindering, burdening, or decreasing the opportunity to use laser technologies. It is difficult to implement this document when viewed in these terms, or when all physicians, nurses, technicians and administrators do not provide ownership for the document. Ownership will enhance the need for strategic planning and outlining objectives within the institution.The ANSI Z136.3 document is not perfect, nor will it ever be. The document was created to provide guidance in the safe use of lasers in healthcare facilities, and not to provide specific answers to specific situations. In an emerging field such as lasers, in medicine and surgery, changes can occur within months and this document must provide the intent and general direction of laser safety, and not specific answers.With emerging technologies such as lasers in medicine and surgery, we must be innovative, react quickly to market pressures, and provide new instrumentation and equipment. This technology provides financial incentives to the user and facility; coupled with the need to establish a knowledge base, training, credentialing modification to ensure a safe environment. These are just some of the challenges facing those within the laser industryThe literature is full of reasons justifying the use of lasers in medicine and surgery. Various articles outline the safe use of lasers and an understanding of implementation of safety programs, to protect the user and the patient during laser procedures.Individuals responsible to ensure safety will need to become knowledgeable in implementation; not only in the technical implementations, but also in the various strategies of implementation.We would like to think that the Z136.3 document is not hindering, burdening, or decreasing the opportunity to use laser technologies. I...