Overlake Surgery Center

1135 116th Avenue NE, Suite 300

Bellevue, WA 98004

POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

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TITLE: Laser Safety Process

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Prepared By:______Authorized By:______

Endorsed By:______Effective Date:______

Audit Date: Audit Date: Audit Date:

Signature: ______Signature: ______Signature:______

Audit Date: Audit Date: Audit Date:

Signature: Signature: Signature:______

PURPOSE: To provide guidelines to assist perioperative nurses in the safe use of lasers in the practice setting.

POLICY: A CO2 laser may be provided by a surgeon and utilized in approved procedures. The center will provide protective eyewear, high filtration masks, and required “laser in use” signs.

  1. All surgeons desiring to use the laser clinically must have attended a laser workshop for the specific laser that includes hands-on experience or have had laser training during residency. A laser operator from the surgeon’s office who has gone through the center’s credentialing process will be in attendance

2.  The surgery center is responsible for ensuring laser safety is practiced. The surgeon’s laser operator will test the laser prior to the start of the procedure and stay with the laser to keep in stand-by when not being utilized by the surgeon.

3.  Surgeons using the laser have the responsibility to know how to use the laser properly in order to protect the patient and the operating room personnel.

4.  The surgeon will assume responsibility for selecting the wattage for each procedure. To properly use the laser, it is understood that the laser will be set at the lowest power setting and raised as necessary until the precise clinical results are obtained.

5.  The laser machine shall be attended at all times during the surgical procedure to prevent accidental activation of the laser. The laser machine shall be maintained on stand-by mode at all times when the instrument is not actively being used in the surgical field.

  1. Protective glasses are to be used by patients when local MAC or local anesthesia is given.
  1. The patient’s eyes are to be appropriately protected with most sponges when general anesthesia is given.

TITLE: Laser Safety Process

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  1. All personnel in the room shall wear protective goggles or glasses with peripheral protection. Eye and skin contact with CO2 laser beam must be avoided.
  1. Surgical high-filtration mask should be worn during procedures that produce plumes.
  1. The surgical permit should state that a laser will be used or that it will possibly be used.
  1. To minimize the possibility of fire hazard, all laser surgery is to be done with a container of water that is accessible and all sponges are to be moistened prior to use. Moist towels are to be placed around the surgical site, if procedure permits. Fire extinguishers will be readily available.
  1. To minimize the possibility of a fire, whenever the laser beam is in close proximity to the endotracheal tube, anesthesia personnel shall appropriately protect the endotracheal tube from the laser beam. Only the surgeon shall have control of laser foot pedal.
  1. All injuries or hazardous incidents resulting from use of the laser shall be reported immediately to the Clinical Director.
  1. Record on the operative record and the nursing notes the following laser information:

a)  Length of time laser is used

b)  Laser settings and mode of delivery

c)  Patient protective precautions

d)  Complications, if any

e)  Laser log – to be completed by laser operator