Modelling coordination in hospital emergency departments through social network analysis.

Coordination theory provides a theoretical framework for analysing complex processes of project groups working towards a common goal. In this study, we explore the relationship between coordination and social networks for the development of a network-based coordination model. This model is applied to measure the performance and quality of complex and dynamic project coordination such as in hospital emergency departments.

Surgical macular decompression for macular edema in retinal vein occlusion.

Background: Recently, a number of surgical and laser approaches have been used to improve visual outcome in cases of central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Intravitreal steroid injection alone appears to offer only temporary improvement at best. Radial optic neurotomy for CRVO and arteriovenous adventitial sheathotomy for BRVO are the most frequently utilized surgical procedures for these conditions, but evidence regarding efficacy is still lacking.

Agreement of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II macula edema module with fundus biomicroscopy in diabetic maculopathy.

Objectives: To estimate the agreement between the macular edema maps (MEMs) of the Retina Module of the Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II (Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and contact lens fundus biomicroscopy (FB) and to assess the influence of combining MEM data with the results of short-wavelength automated perimetry (SWAP) and fluorescein angiography (FA) on diagnostic test performance.

Design: Prospective, observational case series.

Methods: Twenty patients (20 eyes) with diabetic retinopathy with or without clinically manifest macular edema (11 and 9 eyes, respectively) were enrolled.

Retinal hemodynamics in early diabetic macular edema.

The objective of this study was to establish the baseline retinal hemodynamic characteristics of stratified groups of diabetic patients at increasing risk for the development of diabetic macular edema (DME). Group 1 had 50 control subjects, group 2 had 56 diabetic patients without clinically visible retinopathy, group 3 had 54 diabetic patients with microaneurysms and/or hard exudates within two disc diameters of the fovea in the absence of clinically manifest DME, and group 4 had 40 patients with clinically manifest DME. Retinal hemodynamics (diameter, velocity, maximum-to-minimum velocity ratio, and flow) were assessed.

Assessment of retinal hemodynamics with the Canon laser blood flowmeter after a single dose of 2% dorzolamide hydrochloride eyedrops.

Background: Dorzolamide hydrochloride is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that reduces intraocular pressure (IOP) by decreasing the production of aqueous humour in the ciliary body. Theoretically, topical use of this agent has the potential to directly affect retinal vasculature through local induced acidosis. We performed a study to determine whether there are changes in retinal arteriole hemodynamics, as assessed with the Canon laser blood flowmeter, in healthy subjects following topical administration of dorzolamide.

Comparison of Heidelberg Retina Tomograph II and Retinal Thickness Analyzer in the assessment of diabetic macular edema.

Purpose: To compare the within-session variability of the Macular Edema Module of the Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph II (HRT II; Heidelberg Engineering, Heidelberg, Germany) and the Retinal Thickness Analyzer (RTA, Talia Technology Ltd., Neve-Ilan, Israel) in patients with diabetes and nondiabetic subjects and to determine the agreement of both instruments to clinical observation.

Methods: Seventeen patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) and 17 nondiabetic subjects were examined.

Variability and repeatability of retinal blood flow measurements using the Canon Laser Blood Flowmeter.

The purpose of this work was to determine the within-session variability and between-session repeatability of the Canon Laser Blood Flowmeter (CLBF), Model 100, an instrument that permits the noninvasive measurement of retinal blood flow. The CLBF calculates flow in microl/min based on the Poiseuille principle. One eye of 20 normal subjects (mean age 36.