Does maximizing utilization of "resources" lead to an improved patient experience in glaucoma care?

Does maximizing utilization of "resources" lead to an improved patient experience in glaucoma care?

Whether in private practice or a hospital setting, nobody wants to be throwing money away on ancillary testing devices and staff salaries so we usually try to make sure we use our resources to their fullest. With the cost of equipment such as perimeters to perform visual field testing or Ocular Coherence Tomographers for nerve fibre layer scans in the $25-125K range, and technicians to perform the tests drawing salaries of $20-$40 per hour, you can understand why those making the purchasing and hiring decisions would not want to see any idle time. But, does maximizing utilization of resources lead to an improved patient experience in glaucoma care? You need an abundance of resources to have smooth patient flow which leads to a positive patient experience and improved staff morale.

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Driving - a privilege not a right, no matter how long you've been driving

Driving - a privilege not a right, no matter how long you've been driving

I have followed this 46 yo female for the past 8 years with Retinitis Pigmentosa and Chronic Angle Closure Glaucoma. Her visual acuity is 6/7.5 in her right eye and 6/120 in her left eye. She has undergone laser iridotomies in both eyes in 2003, trabeculectomy in the left in 2004 then cataract extraction in 2005 for the inevitable posterior subscapsular cataract associated with her RP and further exacerbated by glaucoma surgery. She currently takes Lumigan qHS and Pilocarpine 2% BID in her right eye and has pressures of 19 in the right and 7 in her left eye. Oh, and, I learned today that she still drives.

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How would you cope with this Visual Field defect if it were you?

How would you cope with this Visual Field defect if it were you?

I found this Visual Field quite interesting from a patient I have followed for the past decade with Juvenile Open Angle Glaucoma. This would be a case of 'can you tell what I'm thinking' when I pose the question how well do you think this patient functions on a daily basis?

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Glaucoma Consults: how would you manage these varied patients with strong Fam Hx, physiologic cupping, and OHT.

Glaucoma Consults: how would you manage these varied patients with strong Fam Hx, physiologic cupping, and OHT.

​Collection of glaucoma patient consultations from a day at the office.

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Glaucoma Consults Round-up: Pt 2. Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2009 In-depth case discussions.

Glaucoma Consults Round-up: Pt 2. Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2009 In-depth case discussions.

A round up of recent glaucoma cases discussed.

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Glaucoma Consults Round-up: Pt 1. Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2009 w/HRT and VF results

Glaucoma Consults Round-up: Pt 1. Sep 28 - Oct 2, 2009 w/HRT and VF results

A recap of this past week's tweets about patients referred to me for glaucoma management. This article contains additional information not found in the original 140 character postings. Please add your comments so that we can extend these teachable moments over time.

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