The workflow efficiency of three Zeiss high definition optical coherence tomography (HDOCT) devices, the Cirrus 4000, 5000 and 6000, have been compared in a randomised, prospective, single-centre, clinical trial.
Reportedly the first workflow efficiency study to compare three OCT devices by the same manufacturer, it measured time taken for scan acquisition report generation. A technician imaged 43 subjects, primarily with retinal disease in at least one eye, in a randomised order on the same day. Patients were not dilated and were representative of those attending a general ophthalmology practice.
The scan acquisition duration on the Cirrus 6000 was significantly shorter than the Cirrus 5000 and Cirrus 4000, with faster speed observed in individual scans, and a common clinical scan protocol. This was the case regardless of patient age, (older subjects can be challenging and frequently require additional time).
The longest duration for a Cirrus 6000 was three minutes to scan both eyes, whereas the Cirrus 5000 and Cirrus 4000 were five and six minutes, respectively. This equates to a saving of at least 30 minutes per day for a 15-patient practice and at least 90 minutes per day for a 45-patient practice, helping decrease patient wait times and increase time for doctor consultation.
Additionally, the 6000 was 29% faster at saving reports for doctor analysis than the other devices. This increase in speed was achieved without compromising image quality.
Reference
Makedonsky K, Fischer J, Durbin M.Workflow efficiency of CIRRUS 6000 compared to CIRRUS 5000 and CIRRUS 4000. Zeiss Cirrus Whitepaper EN 31 200 01961-CIR13059.
