FUNCTION:  Surveillance, Prevention, Control of Infection

 

TITLE:  Laser:  Mask and Glove Used

_________________________________________________________________

 

PURPOSE:

 

To protect the physician and other laser team members from cross-contamination

and inhalation of viable and/or hazardous particulate matter from laser

surgery.

 

POLICY:

 

1.   Masks and gloves must be worn by anyone directly involved (in close

     proximity to the laser-tissue interaction site) with the laser procedure.

 

2.   Procedures that require masks and gloves include the following:  all

     sterile procedures, clean procedures that involve any viral-caused lesion

     (i.e., condyloma).

 

3.   The mask should be worn appropriately to cover the nose to decrease the

     inhalation of potentially hazardous matter and offensive odor.

 

4.   Gloves are worn to prevent the cross-contamination of infectious matter.

 

5.   The laser must not be activated until all masks are on, the smoke

     evacuation tube is positioned near the laser-tissue interaction site, and

     the smoke evacuator is operating.

 

6.   The laser team member is responsible and has the authority from the laser

     committee to strictly enforce this policy.