Risk Management Protocol for Light-based Therapies – The Kit is finally here!

In our previous newsletter, we discussed the rise in adverse reactions specifically with light-based technologies – laser, IPL and HIFU.

Over the past three years, we have seen a constant rise in adverse reactions, as well as consumers aggressively pursuing their ‘rights and privileges’ and seeking compensation, not just for adverse reactions and burns, but also when their treatment did not achieve the results they were looking for.

From an industry perspective, we are seeing many areas where protocols can be improved for greater risk management.

Here are some of the areas that we have identified that we believe are deficient

Outdated Consultation Forms

• Some forms are extremely outdated with very brief, or insufficient questions about the client’s health status, medication and stress levels. 
• This limits the practitioner from capturing key information that can lead to potential adverse reactions, contributing to missed opportunities to introduce sufficient risk management measures.

Identifying Contraindications

• There is very limited knowledge on both contra-indications, as well as instances when precautionary measures are required.
• What these are and how to implement them e.g. appropriate time restriction and how and when a treatment should be delivered and why.

Consent Form

• Either deficient or the correct legal procedure in communicating this information to the client or patient.

Inaccuracy in determining the Fitzpatrick Skin Type

• Very little training on how to accurately assess the Fitzpatrick Skin Type for both face and body.
• As very basic training is given to this assessment, it is often inaccurately determined for the various parts of the skin and body, contributing to incorrect settings.

Insufficient post-treatment care instructions and protocols:

• The post-treatment instructions are an important part of risk management. 
• As the skin will experience increased levels of vulnerability post-treatment to one of these procedures, non-compliance to these instructions can trigger an adverse reaction. 
• Not only do these risks need to be carefully outlined, but it must also be made very clear to the client the potential consequences of not complying with these instructions. 

Poor Record Keeping and regular reassessment of settings

• This is another area that is strongly contributing to not identifying changes to the skin, or the client health status throughout their progressive treatment visits.

Areas that we are identifying the need for important updates include clearer protocols

• Clear and more comprehensive guidelines with treatment record-keeping
• Strategies for improved patient communication
• Enhanced education on the interpretation of the Consultation information and potential risk-management strategies
• Comprehensive Adverse Reaction protocols
• Incident report and legal advice guidelines

It is finally here!

After an extensive analysis of the key contributing factors to adverse reactions, client dissatisfaction and litigation cases APAN has completed the APAN RISK-MANAGEMENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR LIGHT-BASED TREATMENTS PROTOCOL KIT. 

What you will receive:

The Manual

This 16-page Best-Practice Document is the most comprehensive, containing updated information that provides businesses with a higher level of risk management for updating and improving safe practices and minimising the risk of error and adverse reactions.

• The document is easy to follow and can be incorporated as a chapter in a business’s Policies and Procedures Manual or as part of your staff training manual.
• The document provides 12 chapters covering:
• The 10 Risk Management Assessment Strategies
• Mastering Fitzpatrick Skin Phototypes
• The Consultation Process – key considerations
• Revisiting Contraindications
• What conditions require medical approval
• Conditions that require a waiting period and how much time
• Client Consent Form – important protocols
• Pre-Treatment care
• Post-Treatment care
• Treatment Record Keeping
• Adverse Reaction Protocols

• Includes APAN Code of Ethics

Decal

• To advertise and promote your compliance with industry Best Practice Standards, we have designed a transparent, window or front door Decal promoting that:

“This establishment abides by the RISK-MANAGEMENT and BEST PRACTICE STANDARDS for safety and efficacy as set out by the Aesthetics Practitioners Advisory Network (APAN) – Australia’s leading Standards Body/Association.”

Please note:  This document has now been updated and expanded and is available with a Decal which will be posted to you. With these changes, the Risk-Management Kit is now available for $150 for members and $220 for non-members. 

You can access it from our website under Resource Documents.

Safeguard your business and allow it to stand out for your compliance to the highest industry Best Practice Standards.  Strengthen your competitive advantage and protect your reputation.