Clinical Study
Eye (2009) 23, 413–415; doi:10.1038/sj.eye.6703010; published online 26 October 2007
Goldmann tonometer calibration: a national survey
This survey was presented as a poster at the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress, May 2006.
1Ophthalmology Department, Aintree University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Walton Hospital, Rice Lane, Liverpool, UK
Correspondence: N Kumar, SpR in Ophthalmology, 185 Waterloo Warehouse, Waterloo Road, Liverpool L3 0BQ, UK. Tel: +07 951 577 708; E-mail: nishant6377@gmail.com
Received 27 May 2007; Accepted 4 September 2007; Published online 26 October 2007.
Abstract
Introduction
Recent studies suggest that Goldmann tonometers can rapidly develop calibration errors (CEs) in clinical use and routine checks are necessary to ensure accuracy.
Purpose
To determine current practice regarding CE checks in the United Kingdom and assess the views of senior nursing staff in charge of running ophthalmology outpatient clinics as to whom they feel to be responsible for CE checks.
Methods
Every ophthalmology unit with training recognition in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales was contacted. Senior nurses responded to a structured telephone questionnaire regarding local tonometer calibration practice and their views regarding who is responsible for CE checks. A total of 155 eye units were identified and contacted. The response rate was 100%.
Results
CEs were checked for daily in 8 units (5.2%), weekly in 20 units (12.9%), fortnightly in 1 unit (0.6%), monthly in 12 units (7.7%), trimonthly in 5 units (3.2%), biannually in 27 units (17.4%), and annually in 21 units (13.5%). CEs were either never checked or checked in a very random manner (no identifiable pattern) in 61 units (39.4%). Sixty-three (40.6%) of the respondents felt CE checks were a departmental responsibility, 48 (31.0%) felt it to be the doctor's responsibility, and 44 (28.4%) felt CE checks should be performed by the nursing staff.
Conclusions
Our national survey suggests that very few units check their tonometers for CEs at intervals which ensure their accuracy. Our previous survey of doctors suggests that they believe nurses should check for CE, whereas the nursing staff believe CE checks are not their responsibility. This lack of communication between health-care professionals may lead to inaccurate tonometers being used in clinical practice. We suggest that every eye unit should have a protocol, which clearly identifies individuals responsible for checking for CEs at least on a monthly basis.
Keywords:
Goldmann applanation tonometer, calibration errors, practice in UK
