Laser Safety Flashcards
(28 cards)
Can pregnant women work with lasers?
yes, they’re nonionizing
All laser physicians, nurses, and technologists must…
didactic/clinical before operating a laser
If awake or under local anesthesia patient should…
wear eye protection
glasses/goggles
Do not leave key in…
machine in storage
Filtering capability/optical density
absorb specific wavelength-density
What process does LASER describe
light energy produced
Are lasers in healthcare ionizing?
no
Joule
total energy used
power x time of beam exposure
watts x time
Fluence
amount of energy delivered to tissue
watts x duration/spot size
Reflection
direction of beam changed after it contacts an area
Specular reflection
angle of incoming light = angle of reflected light
Can laser light be reflected off a mirror?
yes, to access hard to reach places
can hit unintentionally
CO2 reflection
off instrument can harm cornea of the eye
American national standards institute
1973 standards for use in: warfare, industry, healthcare
Laser safety committee
laser safety nurse, anesthesiologist, hospital safety officer
Eye protection
area of damage depends on wavelength
CO2 damage
cornea because beam is absorbed by water in surface cells
Argon and ND: YAG damage
transmitted through clear optical structures and fluids
refocused by lens to damage retina
CO2 passed through lens
limited nominal hazard zone so window coverage isn’t required
Fire safety
can be started by reflection on drapes
sterile water/saline to douse
keep sponges wet
Type of extinguisher? instrumentation?
halon
non reflective: ebonized-black, anodized-matte, cover with wet sponge/towel
PVC endotrachial tube
highly flammable
use foil wrapped red rubber or metal
Smoke evacuation
laser plume: charcoal filter
wall suction: never used w/o inline filter
inline used for small plane
Foot pedals
boxed
only used by laser qualified surgeon
