Lasers in Skin Care Treatment

Keywords:lasers, fiber, medical, treatment,  Time:30-10-2015

The Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission recognizes that the use of laser technology in the aesthetic and medical fields has changed significantly in the last 10 years. Nurses perform many functions in providing direct care to patients requiring laser therapy. Roles and responsibilities change depending on the patient’s condition, types of laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) technology, the diagnosis, and the nature of the treatment to be provided. Currently, the Washington State Nursing Care Quality Assurance Commission recognizes the Registered Nurse (RN) role in providing laser/IPL therapy may include:

• Hair removal
• Tattoo removal
• Treatment of vascular and pigmented cetaceous lesions
• Non-ablative rejuvenation
• Variety of medical conditions including but not limited to: (psoriasis, vitiligo, scars, stretch marks, acne, hypo pigmentation disorders

The Commission recognizes that it is within the scope of practice for the RN to provide laser therapy under the supervision of a laser trained and qualified physician {RCW18.79.260 (2)}. The use of lasers to treat or alter skin is the practice of medicine under {RCW 18.71.011}.   

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The physician should provide appropriate supervision to allied health professionals. Allied health professionals include persons licensed, certified, or registered to practice a profession governed by {RCW 18.130.040}.   
Supervision may require that the supervising physician be on site or it may require that the supervising physician be reasonably available in person to deal with complications. This will depend on the facility, the patient, the diagnosis, the person providing the treatment and the nature of the treatment being provided.   
A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can perform specific designated laser procedures which do not carry significant risks or that are not complex in nature based on the patient’s condition or the degree of hazard concerning the laser usage, risk factors, or treatment outcomes. The supervising physician is ultimately responsible  
A standardized procedure is required for the RN/LPN to perform any laser treatment. This procedure should outline the role of the nurse under physician supervision in regards to patient assessment, implementation of a laser treatment plan with designated parameters, and evaluation of patient care.   
Any nurse accepting the responsibility for these procedures must have appropriate education and supervised training to ensure competency in performing laser procedures. Laser training should include didactic and clinical aspects of: basic laser physics, laser safety protocols, OSHA and ANSI Z136.3 safety standards, laser-tissue interactions, laser operating procedures, potential hazards and complications, post-procedure education, and wound care.   
The RN/LPN shall be responsible and accountable for the quality of nursing care provided to clients. This responsibility cannot be avoided by accepting orders or directions from another person.   
This does not preclude Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNP) from the use of lasers as permitted by their scope of practice.