ACORN Review of Laser Standards - What happened to refresher training intervals?

Sunday the 14th of December is the last day to contribute to the ACORN Review of Laser Standards so if you haven't already, here's the link.

Overall, it's a well-written and thoroughly researched document. It is good to see too that the standard extends beyond the pre-, intra-, and post-operative settings, and extends to any facilities or locations where surgical procedures are performed. This includes but is not limited to operating rooms (OR), interventional radiology suites, dermatology and dental clinics, endoscopy suites, cosmetic and skin cancer clinics.

Our major comment with regard to improvement refers to Standard statement 4, which is:

All perioperative personnel working with healthcare laser equipment shall participate in approved education and training courses that include the basic principles of laser science, the specific characteristics of the laser equipment they will be managing and the required safety control measures.

Part 16 of this statement says:

Continuing education should be provided at regular intervals designated by LSO.

In the previous ACORN Laser Standards, the interval for refresher education and training was clearly defined as five years (52. Perioperative personnel should participate in laser education, at a minimum, every five years – Grade B). Shifting to “regular intervals designated by the LSO” represents a significant departure from this precedent and removes an important safety control.

A defined interval is already well supported in national education practice. The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) accepts recognition of prior learning for Laser Safety Certificates for up to three years in the Graduate Certificate in Cosmetic Nursing and the Graduate Certificate in Dermatology Nursing. This has been standard since the inception of these programs.

Removing a specific refresher requirement carries serious risk. Laser technology evolves rapidly. Devices are upgraded, replaced, loaned, trialled and decommissioned. Clinical protocols shift. Safety standards are amended. Legislation changes. Without structured renewal of knowledge, staff can be left operating equipment under outdated assumptions, unaware of new contraindications, revised safety limits or updated protective requirements. In perioperative and cosmetic settings, this gap can place both patients and staff at risk of avoidable injury including ocular damage, burns, beam misdirection and plume exposure.

This concern is amplified by the pending review of AS/NZS 4173:2018. If refresher education is left to undefined “regular intervals”, personnel may continue practising under superseded guidance for many years. In that scenario, individuals and facilities may unknowingly fall out of compliance with their professional and legal obligations, including duty of care, WHS requirements, professional standards and insurer expectations.

For this reason, we have recommended reinstating a clear, evidence-based interval aligned with the existing national practice of three years. In addition, when a Standard or legislative requirement is amended, there should be a mandated refresher module to ensure all laser users are aware of the changes before continuing practice. This approach reinforces workforce capability, minimises risk exposure, and maintains the integrity of laser governance systems across all clinical environments.