Standards › Standard 15 › Policies
Policy · OPT-POL-002 · Version 1.0 · Approved by the ASF Expert Committee
Supports: Standard 15 (Optical and Hearing), criterion 15.3
At a glance
- Spectacles, contact lenses and hearing aids are fitted to the measured need.
- The fit is checked with the patient before they leave (OPT-FRM-002).
- A product that does not fit is adjusted or not given.
- Each fitting is recorded.
- Stop and get help straight away if: a product is given to a patient before its fit has been checked with them.
1. Purpose
To make sure each product fits the individual’s measured need (15.3).
2. Scope
| Applies to | Clinical and support staff in the hospital |
| Locations | All wards, clinics and departments of the facility |
| When | Whenever the activity described is carried out |
| Does not apply to | Activities covered by another document listed in section 15 |
3. Definitions
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Clinical lead | The doctor or nurse in charge of the area at the time |
4. Background
A spectacle, contact lens or hearing aid that does not fit correctly causes headache, damage or loss of benefit. Fitting and checking each product is what makes it safe to wear.
5. Responsibilities
| Role | Responsibility | Competence |
|---|---|---|
| Lead optometrist or audiologist | Owns the fitting standard | Clinician |
| Dispenser or fitter | Fits and checks each product | Clinician |
6. Materials and equipment
| Item | Requirement | Condition |
|---|---|---|
| Records and forms named in this document | Current version | Checked before use |
7. Safety
- Stop and call for help if a patient is at immediate risk. Do not delay urgent care to complete paperwork.
8. Before you start
- Confirm the forms and equipment named in this document are available and current.
9. Procedure
Step 1. Measure.
- Fit each product to the measured need.
Key point: Measured need.
Step 2. Check with the patient.
- Check the fit with the patient before they leave, and record it on OPT-FRM-002.
Key point: Before they leave.
Step 3. Adjust.
- Adjust or do not give a product that does not fit.
Key point: Not given if it does not fit.
10. Decision points
- No decision points in this procedure.
11. Special situations
| Situation | Action |
|---|---|
| Out of hours | Follow the same steps. Use the on-call contact on the wall of the area. |
12. Escalation
- Any serious problem goes to the duty clinical lead at once and to the clinical director the same day.
13. Monitoring
| Measure | Target | Frequency | Owner | If not met |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fittings checked with the patient before leaving | 100% | Monthly | Lead optometrist or audiologist | Escalate to medical director |
14. Records
| Record | Kept in | Retention |
|---|---|---|
| Record named in this document | Patient record or the area file | the period set by the facility’s records policy years |
15. Training
- Staff are trained in this document at induction and refreshed each year, with a recorded competency check.
16. Related documents
| ID | Title | Use |
|---|---|---|
| OPT-FRM-002 | Fitting and fit check record | Record |
17. Evidence
| Reference | Note |
|---|---|
| E-009 | Based on the ASF Expert Committee consensus and the WHO World report on hearing (2021). |
| E-006 | ASF Policy Framework v1.2. Adapted. |
| E-009 | ASF Expert Committee consensus. |
18. Change history
| Version | Date | What changed | Approval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | the date of approval | First version | set Expert Committee approval |
E-learning for this document
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References
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Policy Framework v1.2. (E-006)
- Accréditation Sans Frontières (2026). ASF Expert Committee consensus on Standard 1. (E-009)