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Did you know the Laser Safety Program — applicable to all lasers at UVA Health University Medical Center, Fontaine, and Surgical Care Riverside and Pantops — provides the tools needed for a safe work environment when team members are using healthcare laser systems by supporting our strategic plan initiative of ensuring superior quality, patient safety, and outcomes?

Highest Standards

The program follows American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Z136.1 for Safe Use of Lasers and Z136.3 for Safe Use of Lasers in Healthcare — the guiding documents for the proper and safe use of laser systems.

The UVA Health Laser Policy, which pertains to all lasers which energy is applied to humans, provides a thorough explanation of requirements for numerous UVA Health departments where lasers are utilized, such as the Operating Room (OR), Outpatient Surgery Center (OPSC), Dermatology, Ophthalmology, and more.

Laser Safety Training in Workday must be taken annually by any team member who may be present in a treatment room during use of a laser system, and should also be taken by team members in administrative roles to better understand the laser safety program. Before any laser can be purchased for use in our health system, a new medical device request must be made through UVA Health Clinical Engineering and notification sent to the UVA Health Medical Laser Safety Officer via the New Medical Device Request Form on KnowledgeLink.

Meet Trevor Thomas. He’s worked for the Office of Environmental Health and Safety since 2002, and has been in the role of Medical Laser Safety Officer and Assistant Radiation Safety Officer for more than a year. He’s getting the word out about laser safety.

“I am thrilled to have been appointed as the Medical Laser Safety Officer at UVA Health. This position gives me the opportunity to work with our clinic deputy laser safety officers to help ensure the safety of our team members, as well as our patients undergoing laser procedures,” says Thomas. “Safety is our top priority, and I am committed to ensuring that all laser procedures are conducted with the highest standards of safety and compliance.”

One UVA Health Team

Every UVA Health department that has a class 3B or class 4 laser must have a deputy medical laser safety officer (DLSO) appointed by their management team. The DLSO can be a clinician, laser operator, technologist, RN, surgical technician, or other team member with a sound knowledge of the department's laser systems. This team member works with Thomas to ensure compliance with the UVA Health Laser Safety Medical Center Policy.

Some DLSO responsibilities include:

• Ensuring laser safety policies are implemented and followed, which is critical in not only protecting your team members, but also your patients.
• Ensuring laser safety training is completed by team members who are involved in cases using a laser system, as well as any other team member as deemed appropriate by the DLSO.
• Ensuring compliance with warning signage during laser procedures and proper use of laser protective eyewear.
• Acting as liaison between the clinical laser users and UVA Health's LSO.
• Working with the UVA Health LSO to address safety concerns or compliance.
• Working with Clinical Engineering on equipment problems, maintenance, and registration of new lasers.
• Ensuring laser system's manuals and documentation are up to date and on file in their respective department for reference.
• Acting as a resource to laser users and other team members who may be involved with or present during a laser procedure.
• Reporting any laser-related injuries to management through proper channels and UVA Health LSO.

Getting Involved

The Laser Safety Audit Form lists the typical items that are reviewed during laser audits, and can be used by departments to gauge the effectiveness of their laser safety procedures.

Medical Laser Safety Officer training also is available online and in person, and is strongly recommended for anyone stepping into the DLSO role. Contact Trevor Thomas for more information.