Handpiece, cable and optical window: a five-minute pre-shift inspection

A daily inspection seems dull until it reveals a cracked window, damaged cable or loose attachment. The aim is not to measure optical output or repair the system in five minutes. It is to confirm that the device is externally intact, assembled in an approved configuration, passes its internal self-test and shows no sign that requires removal from service.

Start with the device body and its environment

Inspection begins before switching on. I check the device housing, wheels and brakes, vents, power cord and plug, and confirm that no liquid is nearby. The emergency-stop button is accessible, and the key switch and footswitch appear serviceable. There are no unnecessary reflective objects in the controlled area, and warnings and eye protection correspond to the intended wavelength.

Ventilation grilles must not be covered with towels or consumables. The power cord should not be placed where it will be run over by a cart. If there is a smell of overheating, a sign of impact or damage to the insulation, the device is not switched on for use with a client. It is marked as out of service and handed over to the responsible person.

• Device housing, wheels, brakes and ventilation are undamaged.
• The power cable, plug, pedal and emergency stop are externally intact.
• The handpiece and attachment are secured according to the IFU.
• The optical window is clean, dry and without cracks.
• The cable or fibre is not twisted or pinched.
• The self-test completes without error and the log is current.

Inspect the entire path from device to skin

The handpiece is checked for cracks, looseness and signs that it has been dropped. The cable or fibre is inspected along its accessible length without excessive bending. The attachment must correspond to the selected mode and be installed as required by the manufacturer. Do not hold an incompatible part with tape or an improvised fastener.

The optical window is inspected in good light. They look for dirt, residue, chips, clouding and changes in the coating. Cleaning is carried out only with approved methods and materials. Scratches are not polished with a household product, and the suspicious surface is not checked with additional flashes.

Check cooling and self-diagnostics

After proper assembly, the device undergoes the prescribed startup and internal test. I read messages in full rather than automatically dismissing the warning. I check the level or presence of approved consumables, the connection of air cooling, the function of the contact window or cryogen unit, depending on the model.

The internal self-test does not prove perfect calibration, but any error is significant. Restarting is permissible only if it is expressly provided for in the instructions. A repeated message is recorded and escalated, even if the device appears to work after a third restart.

Finish with the log and a clear stop rule

The daily log contains the date, time, device, the employee who checked, the result and any deviations found. If authorised cleaning or replacement of a user consumable was carried out, this is also recorded. The log confirms that the check was performed, and not just a box ticked retrospectively at the end of the shift.

In case of damage, unstable cooling, unusual sound, smell, repeated error or doubt, the device is taken out of service. A clear mark is placed on it so that a colleague does not start working. A five-minute inspection is valuable not because it solves a technical problem, but because it prevents the problem from reaching the client.