Abstract
Purpose:
To describe one year activities in a low vision rehabilitation center based on a multidisciplinary approach by means of a new Electronic Health Record (EHR) in order to highlight the benefits
Methods:
Clinical and functional data of patients assessed at our low vision center were collected and analyzed retrospectively through the use of nLIFE, a new EHR. nLIFE is easily customizable to follow different needs, scenarios from stand-alone configuration to big networks and to set interactive home training. The filling of information is divided on several sections in order to properly fit different kind of medical data. nLIFE is updated with different modules including advanced search ability and scheduling of resources to implement a full field approach to medical data management. Eye disease, National Eye Institute 25 Item Visual Function Questionnaire (VFQ-25), Best Corrected Visual acuity (BCVA), Contrast Sensitivity (CS), Fixation stability, Microperimetric retinal sensitivity, reading speed (RS) and aids prescribed were evaluated. All data came from different modules and tools and were processed in an ad-hoc database
Results:
A total of 429 subjects were assessed. BCVA was collected for 595 eyes with a mean of 0,72 (± 0,45) LogMAR. Further analysis permitted to identify BCVA for the best eye with a mean of 0,64 (± 0,41). CS of 514 eyes was 0,88 (±0,54) LogC. Of 263 subjects who completed microperimetric assessment, mean retinal sensitivity of 470 eyes was 5,43 dB (±5,22); fixation of 506 eyes resulted stable in 258, relatively unstable in 129 and unstable in 120. Bivariate Contour Ellipse Area of 500 eyes had a mean of 8,46 °2 (±29,9). Age Related Macular Degeneration was the most frequent disease with a prevalence of the atrophic one. RS mean was 34,8 word/minute; medical filters were the most prescribed aid.VFQ25 was completed by 193 subjects
Conclusions:
EHR appears a valid tool for supporting clinicians. nLIFE is based on the state of the art of web technology with the possibility to receive data from different sources and multidisciplinary modules. It can review clinical and research data locally or through Internet and by using all device type. Besides it allows a customized rehabilitative path and the development of an interactive home training with advantages for the patients. All the team showed high compliance to nLIFE with easier data collection and analysis