title: National variations in retinopathy of prematurity screening criteria in Canada: existent guidelines and actual practice patterns.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To survey the current inclusion criteria used for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) screening across tertiary level 3 neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical directors from 29 level 3 NICUs in Canada.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey of all 29 level 3 NICUs in Canada in September 2010. The survey inquired about the current ROP screening criteria in use in each centre including which neonates are enrolled in the screening program and the timing of when screening begins. The survey was sent via email to the clinical directors at each site. Nonrespondents were contacted by telephone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 23 centres replied, representing a 79% response rate with the survey. Seven different ROP screening inclusion criteria were found to be in use, although one of the centres did not have a clear inclusion protocol. The variation between centres was significant, with some using a combination of birth weight and gestational age and others using birth weight or gestational age alone as their criterion. There was also variation in the timing of initial eye examinations, with 8 different criteria currently in use. Discrepancies were also found among treatment patterns at the centres.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Despite the publication of updated Canadian guidelines in 2000, there continues to be significant variation in the actual inclusion criteria being used across the country. Therefore, a need exists for comprehensive, evidence-based Canadian guidelines to optimize the screening inclusion criteria for ROP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ont.
authors.forename: Vasudha
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Kaitlyn F
authors.initials: KF
authors.lastname: Whelan
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schneider
authors.forename: Forough
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Farrokhyar
authors.forename: Sandesh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shivananda
authors.forename: Shoo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Kourosh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sabri
mesh_terms: D001724:Birth Weight; D002170:Canada; D005865:Gestational Age; D019983:Guideline Adherence / Q000592:standards*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D015997:Neonatal Screening; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000592:standards*; D012178:Retinopathy of Prematurity / Q000175:diagnosis*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors