Which organization is responsible for publishing laser safety standards in healthcare?

The organization responsible for publishing laser safety standards in healthcare is the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). ANSI develops consensus standards for various industries, including healthcare, ensuring safe practice with lasers and other technologies. These standards provide guidelines to protect both patients and healthcare personnel from the hazards associated with laser use, outlining protocols for safe laser operation, training requirements, and safety measures.

ISO, while influential in establishing international standards, focuses on a broader range of industrial and commercial sectors rather than specifically addressing healthcare laser safety. The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) primarily focuses on public health and disease control, and while they may offer recommendations for infection control, they do not specifically publish laser safety standards. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) sets and enforces workplace safety regulations but relies on standards developed by organizations like ANSI for specific guidelines related to equipment such as lasers.