Posters

Using control charts in post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis surveillance

Poster Details

First Author: D. Gosling UNITED KINGDOM

Co Author(s):    V. Ramjiani   R. Sheard                 

Abstract Details

Purpose:

To demonstrate control charts as a method of detecting an outbreak of postoperative endophthalmitis following cataract surgery.

Setting:

University teaching hospital in the UK performing high volume cataract surgery.

Methods:

The statistical process control method was used to analyse the rates of post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, UK. Accepted criteria were used to define when the system was ‘out of control’, and further investigation or intervention warranted. These criteria also identify when an intervention has improved the endophthalmitis rate.

Results:

36,134 consecutive cataract surgeries and 28 cases of postoperative endophthalmitis were included, from November 2006 to September 2015. 3 ‘early outbreaks’ of endophthalmitis were identified. In our unit, systematic interventions were employed which demonstrated a reduction in the endophthalmitis rate from 1:698 to 1:3186. This corresponds to 8 or 9 fewer cases of endophthalmitis over the time period.

Conclusions:

Prospective surveillance of postoperative endophthalmitis using control charts is effective at both identifying outbreaks early, and demonstrating improvement following effective interventions.

Financial Disclosure:

NONE