• New ANSI Z-136.3-2011 ANSI Standard Released
• RLI Introduces New Course: Medical Laser Safety Officer Update Course
  (Covering Changes to ANSI Standard)
• Highlighted Changes in the New ANSI Standard
• RLI Aesthetic Course Approved by Texas Workforce Commission
• RLI Presenting, Exhibiting at Annual Meetings
• 2012 Training Calendar
• Product Focus: Buy LightSpeed® II IPL Eyewear and Get a Box of IPL-Aid™ Free
• Featured Consulting Service: Medical Laser Safety Audits and the New ANSI Z136.3-2011 Standard

New ANSI Z-136.3 ANSI Standard Released

The ANSI Z136.3-2011 Standard, For Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care has been released. The Standard provides guidance for the safe use of lasers for medicine, diagnostic, cosmetic, preventative and therapeutic applications in any location where bodily structure or function is altered or symptoms are relieved.

Laser safety training shall now be required for LSO's, laser users, laser operators, technical support staff, and nurses and allied health personnel. In addition, training intervals are now mandated.

To understand how these and other changes directly affect you, please contact Leah Cridlin via email or or call us at (800) 94-LASER.

RLI Introduces New Course: Medical Laser Safety Officer Update Course
(Covering Changes to ANSI Standard)

RLI is now offering a new course, Medical Laser Safety Officer Update Course, for those healthcare professionals interested in knowing what changes have been made in the new ANSI Z136.3-2011 standard.

Learn how these changes may affect your laser practices and your current policies and procedures:

• New Title: Safe Use of Lasers in Healthcare - new scope
• New Management Model with Expansion Of LSO / DLSO / LSSC Roles
• Expansion of section on Private Practice (Non-Hospital Environment)
• Addresses 3rd Party Services (Rentals, Borrowed lasers, demos)
• New Training Requirements / Intervals for Refresher training
• Clarification / Expansion Of Audit Requirements
• Refers To CSA 305.13-09 - Plume Evacuation
• Improved Terminology - Definitions
• Eliminates Routine Medical Surveillance
• Inclusion Of Veterinary Medicine in Normative Section
• Update Of Appendices

At the conclusion of this course the attendee will have a thorough understanding of the newly published ANSI Z136.3-2011, and how to integrate its requirements into their current laser safety program.

Highlighted Changes in the New ANSI Standard

The new ANSI Z136.3-2011 standard is bringing necessary safety practices into the multiple, ever-expanding environments of laser use. Among the changes in the new standard are the following:

• 1.4.1 Expansion of the use of lasers in non-hospital environments section now encompasses the diversity of medi-spas, salons, dental and veterinarian facilities and expands the role and responsibilities of the laser user to adopt the administrative role of an LSO or ensure that a qualified individual be appointed to the role.

• 1.4.2 Third Party Laser Use section has now been expanded to include assessment of the device, prior to use, for compliance to state and federal standards along with a physical inspection to examine the condition and maintenance of the device. More importantly is the emphasis on the compliance of the rental laser company to the facility's policies and procedures. Training of all personnel in the room on the device, safety protocols, and operation is now mandated.. Now, for the first time, the cosmetic staff will need to understand how to operate the device in case of absence or illness of the rental employee during a treatment.

• 1.3.1.3 LSO, DLSO and LSSC in Non-hospital HCF. This section addresses a new. This section addresses a new management model for facilities in which multiuse and diversity exists in laser usage. Now the LSO can appoint a Laser Safety Site Contact (LSSC) to oversee the operational use and safety controls during laser treatments in multiple clinic or spas locations.

• 4.3.6 Health Care Facility and Equipment Safety Audits (Class 3B and Class 4).. This section now defines what the audit should contain. It should include not only a physical site inspection of laser devices and safety protective control measures, but also an assessment of the staff's knowledge. Also, the standard has been expanded to include observation of laser procedures to determine staff compliance to the facilities policies and procedures.

The new ANSI document brings forth additional standards of practice involving re-training of the LSO and staff, medical surveillance after an injury, and new laser generated airborne contaminants (laser plume) safety controls.

Aesthetic Laser Safety Officer (AeLSO) Course Approved by Texas Workforce Commission

RLI has received the approval of their Aesthetic Laser Safety Officer (AeLSO) Course with CPR and First Aid with the Texas Workforce Commission. RLI has met the legal requirements prescribed in Chapter 132, Texas Education Code to offer training within in the state of Texas. This approval meets with the Texas Department of State Health Services Radiation Safety Licensing Branch for HB 449 Subchapter M, Laser Hair Removal, Title 25 Texas Administrative Code §289.302.

HB 449 requires that anyone performing Laser Hair Removal (LHR) procedures attend a 40 hour course by an approved training school. Attending this course meets the requirement for the Laser Hair Removal Apprentice in Training. Upon completion of the AeLSO course LHR Apprentice's can continue on to the next step of becoming LHR Technicians, Senior LHR Technicians and LHR Professionals.

RLI Presenting, Exhibiting at Annual Meetings

RLI will be exhibiting and presenting at a number of industry events in the near future. We are looking forward to meeting anyone attending.

RLI instructor Penny Smalley will be presenting a session at both the AORN and the ASLMS meetings. She will explain the changes in the new ANSI Z136.3-2011 "for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care" and how to implement them in a medical practice setting.

We will be exhibiting at the 70th Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology being held at the San Diego Convention Center from March 16-20, 2012. Look for us at booth 3907 from March 17-19.

We will be exhibiting at this year's AORN 59th Annual Congress in New Orleans on March 24th-29th. Be sure to stop by and visit us at booth 5625.

Finally, we will be exhibiting at the 2012 ASLMS Annual Conference from April 18-22, 2012 at the Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, FL. We will be at booth 601 on April 20-21, 2012.
 

Buy LightSpeed® II IPL Eyewear and Get a Box of IPL-Aid™ Free

For a limited time, use Coupon Code Protection when ordering a pair of LightSpeed® II IPL Eyewear and you will receive a free box of IPL-Aid™.

LightSPEED® II eyewear uses advanced technology that reacts automatically within 0.3 milliseconds in Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) environments. This CE marked eyewear fits comfortably over prescription eyewear and comes with a retention strap for an optimal fit.

Designed with patient comfort in mind, IPL Aid™ Disposable Eye Shields are latex free, hypoallergenic, and have an easy peel adhesive backing. This product is conducive to accessing the bridge of the nose and temples, which allows the physician to operate smoothly around the designated area without harming the patient.
 

Medical Laser Safety Program Audits and the New Z-136.3-2011 Standard

Section 4.3.6, Health Care Facility and Equipment Safety Audits (Class 3B and Class 4), of the new Z-136.3 ANSI Standard now defines what the laser safety audit should encompass. It is to include not only a physical site inspection of laser devices and safety protective control measures, but also an assessment of the staff's knowledge. Also, the standard has been expanded to include observation of laser procedures to determine staff compliance to the facilities policies and procedures.

RLI routinely audits medical facilities for compliance with the ANSI Z136.3 Standard, "Safe Use of Lasers in Healthcare", OSHA, TJC and state regulations. Audits include:

• Administrative Control
• Laser Safety Officer (Deputy Laser Safety Officer)
• Equipment
• Continuing Education
• Documentation
• Program Development

Written reports are available that include a brief summary, identification of areas of non-compliance with standards, needs assessment, recommendations for remedy of deficiencies, and long term recommendations for growth of service.

For more information regarding audits and other consulting services, please contact Christina Capozza via email or by calling (800) 94-LASER.