Improving the accuracy of intraocular pressure readings.
OBJECTIVE
To discover whether a protocol for calibration can improve the accuracy of intraocular pressure measuerements.


METHODS
A protocol for checking the calibration of equipment was implemented in an ophthalmic outpatient department. After seven months, calibration checks were compared with those done on equipment in other ophthalmic areas that were not following a protocol.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant association between errors and areas not following the protocol (p = 0.02). In comparing errors found in the area using the protocol with all other areas, a significant difference was evident at the test point of 20 mmHg (p = 0.003).


CONCLUSIONS
Using a protocol significantly reduces calibration errors.
Tattersall
Christopher
C
Royal Glamorgan Hospital.
Vernon
Stephen
S
Wood
Cheryl
C
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019985:Benchmarking; D015982:Bias; D002138:Calibration / Q000592:standards*; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D002985:Clinical Protocols / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012107:Research Design; D014065:Tonometry, Ocular / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000451:nursing / Q000592:standards*