HMC organises awareness week for safe use of lasers

The Occupational Health and Safety Department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) organised an awareness week for the safe use of lasers in HMC healthcare facilities.

Dr Huda AlNaemi, executive director of the Occupational Health and Safety Department at HMC said lasers have a very wide range of applications in various fields including medicine. These include the use of lasers in general and eye surgery, treating skin diseases, physiotherapy, and in aesthetic surgery and medicine. “Despite the important role that laser plays in the medical field, lasers can pose a risk to both the user and the patient due to the large and intense energy laser rays carry, that may cause damage to the eyes and burns to the skin in addition to the risk of fires when directed at flammable materials. The risk associated with lasers makes it necessary to observe appropriate protection measures and apply them correctly in accordance with international standards,” added Dr AlNaemi. Dr Omar Bobes, senior radiation physicist and laser safety officer at HMC’s Medical Physics Section said that the awareness week activities included educational booths for staff at a number of HMC hospitals, including Rumailah Hospital, Al Khor Hospital, Hamad General Hospital, The Cuban Hospital, Hazm Mebaireek General Hospital, and Qatar Rehabilitation Institute. The booths served as platforms to provide healthcare workers with health tips and information on safety measures for the use of laser applications for diagnostic and treatment purposes, such as wearing protective laser goggles, ensuring absence of flammable materials, and paying attention to warning signs when using laser beams in treatment rooms. In addition, the awareness week activities addressed the criteria for evaluating the safe use of lasers in healthcare facilities as defined by the Joint Committee International and applied by HMC. The activities also included distribution of brochures, as well as posters and video presentations on the safe use of lasers in healthcare settings. With more than fifty laser devices used in various specialties across HMC, including dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, physiotherapy, Hamad Medical Corporation is one of the largest medical institutions in the world in terms of the use of lasers in different medical specialties. HMC follows the best safety and protection measures in accordance with international standards to ensure the safety of patients and workers. Laser safety training is crucial in ensuring the safety of patients and medical staff. Regular training enables users of laser applications to gain valuable knowledge and understanding of lasers, its effects, and the latest laser safety procedures in healthcare settings.