Posters

The variation in preoperative and postoperative management in routine phacoemulsification within the East of England: a regional multi-centre study

Poster Details

First Author: M. Qadir UNITED KINGDOM

Co Author(s):    P. Scollo   C. Gunasekera   R. Davie              

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To determine the variation in the pre-operative, peri-operative and post-operative management of patients undergoing routine phacoemulsification across 13 hospitals in the East of England region.

Setting:

13 hospitals in the East of England region

Methods:

A focus group was created amongst ophthalmology residents in the East of England deanery with the aim of determining various aspects of pre-operative, peri-operative and post-operative care of patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. Results were obtained from 13 hospitals in the East of England. Themes covered included route of referral, consent, pre-operative and post-operative medication, anaesthesia and post-operative review.

Results:

Results from all 13 hospitals within the region were gathered. These highlighted a high amount variation amongst all hospitals in terms of the management of patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. Particular areas in which there was a high degree of variation included type of professional listing for surgery, pre-operative and post-operative drop regimen (particularly the type and duration of post-op steroid drops used) and patient follow up. The location of the post-operative review also varied (hospital vs. community) as did the total number of hospital visits patients had to undertake at each different hospital.

Conclusions:

The high degree of variation in the management of routine patients undergoing cataract surgery is a reflection of the uncertainty in how best to manage these patients. Further research into this area is required to standardise the process of routine cataract surgery to ensure a streamlined service that optimises patient outcomes.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE