Prescriptions, images and device outputs

Support staff may receive and handle prescriptions, lensmeter readings, OCT or fundus images, visual field reports, pre-screening data and attachments from other services. These items can look like ordinary paperwork or files but may be clinically important and confidential.

Your duties may include receiving, scanning, uploading, printing, filing, attaching or handing over information. You must not interpret clinical meaning unless your role, training and supervision explicitly allow it.

When handling prescriptions and outputs

• Check the patient: confirm the record belongs to the right person before attaching or saving anything.
• Check the source: record whether the information came from the current test, another practice, a hospital, a patient copy, a lensmeter or a device.
• Check the date: the date must be clear; older information can still be relevant but must be identified.
• Check quality: flag blurred images, incomplete fields, failed captures or unreadable documents.
• Do not reassure: avoid saying a scan, pressure, field, photo or prescription is normal unless an authorised registrant has approved that message.
• Hand over clearly: pass on any uncertainty, quality concerns and patient questions to the appropriate registrant or authorised colleague.

Useful role scripts

Patients may ask questions while you collect information. Short, clear replies keep the conversation helpful without interpreting results:

• "I am recording the result for the optometrist to review."
• "I cannot interpret the image, but I will make sure the optometrist knows your question."
• "This reading needs to be looked at by the registrant. I will hand it over now."
• "I can tell you what the task is for, but not what the clinical result means."

Imaging, outputs and clinical judgement

Handling an output is not the same as interpreting it. Capture, label and hand over clinical meaning to the right person.