AOHP 2015 National Conference

Topic Overview: LASER is an acronym which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. The laser produces an intense, highly directional beam of light. The most common cause of laser-induced tissue damage is thermal in nature, where the tissue proteins are denatured due to the temperature rise following absorption of laser energy.

The human body is vulnerable to the output of certain lasers, and under certain circumstances, exposure can result in damage to the eye and skin. Research relating to injury thresholds of the eye and skin has been carried out to understand the biological hazards of laser radiation. It is now widely accepted that the human eye is almost always more vulnerable to injury than human skin. Workers unprotected from laser exposure can suffer serious eye and skin injuries, including permanent blindness and tissue damage, in addition to respiratory hazards from surgical smoke.

Objectives:

1. Describe the range of tissue interactions that can be achieved with the use of lasers.
2. List four safety standards regarding laser use according to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI,) AORN and the American Society for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery.
3. Explain the essential steps that must be in place to ensure safety for patients and healthcare personnel during laser use.
4. Review potential employee-related laser incidents.