1) Who are you?
Hello, I am Loura Petsche, RN, BSN, CNOR, CMLSO, OR Manager of Children's Hospital and Medical Center Omaha, Nebraska.
2) What is your educational background?
I obtained my diploma in Nursing in 1983 and my Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 2012.
3) Where do you work?
I have worked at Children's Hospital and Medical Center (Omaha, NE) since 1985 and was appointed leader of the laser safety program in 2000. In addition to becoming the manager of the operating room in 2010, I continue to maintain my laser safety officer role as well as my certification. I became certified in September of 2009 and just recently obtained my CMLSO certification renewal.
4) When did you start working with lasers, and how did you become the LSO?
I have worked with lasers in our facility for over 15 years, and because of my interest in laser procedures and laser safety, I became the hospital LSO. In this role, I became involved with the hospital safety committee. I report laser safety issues and am involved with laser education and laser safety for laser users as well as those potentially exposed to laser use in the organization. I do enjoy functioning as the hospital LSO as I think it is important to educate and train on the importance of laser safety and a laser safe environment. Connecting with other CMLSOs allows me to stay up to date on the latest laser safety information as well as best practice methods. I feel very fortunate that I work for a hospital that cares enough about laser safety to support the role of the laser safety officer through both Administrative controls as well as education.
5) What do you think are the challenges of today's LSO?
The Laser Safety Officer position can be challenging as we see the move toward cost savings initiatives in healthcare and decisions being made to purchase or rent lasers. Knowledge regarding safe laser use and practices are important to know whether an organization chooses to rent or own lasers.
6) How has becoming certified helped/benefited you in your career?
Laser Certification is beneficial to ones career as it shows commitment and dedication to quality and safety in the laser field. Obtaining certification shows ones commitment to go beyond basic knowledge to become an expert in the field.
|