Diab HC4 Obtain images of the retina

Overview

This standard covers how to obtain images of the eye using fundus photography within a screening programme for diabetic retinopathy. Users of this standard will need to ensure that practice reflects up to date information and policies. Version No 1

Knowledge and Understanding

You will need to know and understand:

1. National guidelines on eye screening and on diabetes monitoring, management and education
2. The social, cultural and economic background of the patient/carer group
3. Contra-indications, risks and reactions to this procedure
4. National Screening Programme protocols for taking images
5. How to change the ambient lighting/ environment according to need
6. Reason/s for selection of imaging modality according to clinical condition
7. How to identify and minimise artefacts and poor quality images due to ocular conditions, operator error and patient compliance
8. The relationship between normal and abnormal findings and diseases and conditions of eye and supporting structures
9. Your local infection control procedures
10. How to manage and how to record adverse events and critical incidents, as relates to this activity
11. The use of internal and external fixation targets
12. Causes, signs and symptoms of diabetes
13. The development of complications of diabetes
14. The effects of diabetes on a person’s eyes
15. Your role in the healthcare team and the role of others
16. The law and good practice guidelines on consent
17. Local guidelines on diabetes healthcare
18. Local referral pathways
19. Local systems for recording patient information
20. The Data Protection Act  and local patient information protection protocols
21. Quality assurance systems
22. The complaints system and how to handle complaints

Performance Criteria

You must be able to do the following:

1. limit risks of infection by using appropriate infection control procedures
2. confirm the patient identity and ensure the patient data is entered correctly onto digital imaging systems
3. select the appropriate modality for fundus photography
4. where required by local protocols, document anterior segment abnormalities which may prevent adequate fundus photography
5. make sure that the patient is sitting as comfortably as possible and is suitably  positioned and aligned for each image capture
6. make sure that you are sitting comfortably and are correctly positioned to obtain images of the patient’s eyes in accordance with Health and Safety protocols
7. obtain images of suitable clarity and in sufficient quantity according to your national and local protocol
8. take extra images where necessary, in accordance with your local screening programme guidelines
9. record why images of suitable clarity or field position cannot be obtained if known
10. record and store images in accordance with relevant protocols and procedures
11. record any adverse event or critical incident

Additional Information

This National Occupational Standard was developed by Skills for Health. This standard links with the following dimension within the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework (October 2004): Dimension: HWB6 Assessment and treatment planning This standard has replaced HCS_OV13