Technology
Is Your Clinic IPL Compliant? Lasers and intense pulsed light (IPL) in the wrong hands are dangerous pieces of equipment and the adverse outcomes can be devastating for clients and practitioners alike. Here Bravura Education’s Managing Director Adjunct Associate Professor Elissa O’Keefe RN NP helps you get your clinic spring cleaned and compliant by guiding you through what you need to have in place in your clinic.
T
he safe use of laser and IPL devices already sits within the framework of the principles and legalities of safe work practices. All health professionals whether AHPRA registered or not are familiar with their safe work responsibilities and are held accountable to them. The new national Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4173:2018 Safe use of lasers and intense light sources in health care1 has been published and now is the time to do a spring clean of your clinical governance to have a compliant clinic. This is the first time intense pulsed light (IPL) technologies have been included in such a standard and the mandatory elements of the document are clear about what is expected of clinics, managers and staff alike. The new standards provide a framework to implement strategies to keep staff, clients and visitors safe from non-ionising radiation and are also an invaluable resource. A common query about any national standards though is whether they are mandatory? The short answer is “No”, but the long answer is well worth considering. In instances where legal action may be brought against a practitioner or company for negligence or otherwise, the adherence 74 | SPA+CLINIC
to standards will always be looked upon favourably. For example, a practitioner or company that burns a patient through the use of a laser or IPL who does not comply with AS/NZS 4173:2018 is more likely to be viewed as negligent in their care than someone who adheres to all relevant standards. So, implementing a laser safety program for your clinic is an essential risk management strategy. Laser safety programs should be practical, applicable to the type of treatments you are doing and sustainable in the long term. There are four primary areas that require attention under the new standards: 1. Laser/IPL education 2. Competency in the use of lasers/IPL 3. Mitigating risk and protection from hazards 4. Regular audit
Do you understand what you are doing? It’s not only standards that provide an industry framework for education. The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is explicit about service providers being encouraged to undertake appropriate training courses and