Skip to main content

Laser Safety: Standards and Guidelines

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Handbook of Lasers in Dermatology

Abstract

As new laser technologies for various applications within the field of dermatology continue to emerge, the number of laser procedures continues to rise. With the increase in use, the associated injuries to healthcare personnel and patients may also be more prevalent. Although laser related incidents in healthcare settings are greatly underreported, a majority represents avoidable injury with proper safety measures [1]. Therefore, a thorough understanding of safety precautions is imperative. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes safety standards pertaining to medical laser use and is the basis of all safety guidelines and recommendations. Knowledge of these standards is crucial for a successful safety program in any healthcare facility.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Pierce JS, Lacey SE, Lippert JF, Lopez R, Franke JE, Colvard MD. An assessment of the occupational hazards related to medical lasers. J Occup Environ Med. 2011;53(11):1302–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Sliney D. Revision of ANSI standard Z136.3 published. In: Parade of specialties. American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. 2012. http://www.aslms.org/news/documents/RevisionofANSIStd2.2012.pdf. Accessed 1 Apr 2013.

  3. OSHA Technical Manual (OTM). Occupational Safety and Health Administration. 2008. http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_iii/otm_iii_6.html. Accessed 28 Jan 2013.

  4. American National Standards Institute. American national standard for the safe use of lasers in health care ANSI Z 136.3. Orlando: American National Standards Institute; 2011.

    Google Scholar 

  5. Radiation Emitting Products. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. 2012. http://www.fda.gov/RadiationEmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/HomeBusinessandEntertainment/LaserProductsandInstruments/default.htm. Accessed 28 Jan 2013.

  6. Sliney D, Trokel S. Laser-tissue interactions. In: Sliney D, Trokel S, editors. Medical lasers and their safe use. New York: Springer; 1993. p. 35–50.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  7. Lewin JM, Brauer JA, Ostad A. Surgical smoke and the dermatologist. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2011;65(3):636–41.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Alp E, Bijl D, Bleichrodt RP, Hansson B, Voss A. Surgical smoke and infection control. J Hosp Infect. 2006;62(1):1–5.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Garden JM, O’Banion MK, Shelnitz LS, Pinski KS, Bakus AD, Reichmann ME, et al. Papillomavirus in the vapor of carbon dioxide laser-treated verrucae. JAMA. 1988;259(8):1199–202.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Hughes PS, Hughes AP. Absence of human papillomavirus DNA in the plume of erbium: YAG laser-treated warts. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1998;38(3):426–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Gloster Jr HM, Roenigk RK. Risk of acquiring human papillomavirus from the plume produced by the carbon dioxide laser in the treatment of warts. J Am Acad Dermatol. 1995;32(3):436–41.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Smoking Guns- Part 1 and 2. American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery. 2007. www.aslms.org/public/smokingguns1.shtml. Accessed 28 Jan 2013.

  13. Arefiev K, Warycha M, Whiting D, Alam M. Flammability of topical preparations and surgical dressings in cutaneous and laser surgery: a controlled simulation study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2012;67(4):700–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  14. Ries WR, Clymer MA, Reinisch L. Laser safety features of eye shields. Lasers Surg Med. 1996;18(3):309–15.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rachel N. Pritzker MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2014 Springer-Verlag London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Pritzker, R.N., Rohrer, T.E. (2014). Laser Safety: Standards and Guidelines. In: Nouri, K. (eds) Handbook of Lasers in Dermatology. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5322-1_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5322-1_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4471-5321-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4471-5322-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics