Ambulatory
Clinical
Educator
Risk Management
Laser Update: ANSI Z136.3 2018 #1108 (1.00 CH)
Patti Owens, BSN, RN, MHA, CNOR, CMLSO
AestheticMed Consulting International LLC and Administrative Consultant with Dr. Mark Sofonio
AestheticMed Consulting International
Indio, California
Vangie Dennis, BSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO
Executive Director Perioperative Services
WellStar
Atlanta, GA
The American National Standard for Safe Use of Lasers in Health Care (ANSI) Z136.3 provides the infrastructure for the foundation of a required laser safety program. This document extends to all clinical settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, physician clinics, medical spas, dental offices, and veterinary clinics. The ANSI Z136.3 document applies to all owned, rented, borrowed, and leased lasers systems with regards to the application, training, education, servicing, and maintenance of these devices. The document has undergone a seven-year process that involved an intense review, comment, editing, multiple ANSI committee voting, re-editing, and final publication in 2018. As the ANSI standards change, it is prudent that the Laser Safety Officer and laser team members have an initial understanding of the update version. In conjunction with AORN’s Guidelines for Perioperative Practices, the ANSI standards are the benchmark documents for the administrative and clinical aspect of one’s laser safety program.