Abstract
Presentation Description :
This presentation will review a quality improvement and research initiative designed to examine the burden of low vision and strategies to increase utilization of low vision rehabilitation (LVR) among patients seeking outpatient ophthalmic care. Both VISION 2020 and the American Academy of Ophthalmology have recognized the importance of identifying patients with chronic vision loss and need for LVR services to maximize visual ability and prevent depression, yet the effects of such efforts remain unknown. Obtaining precise estimates of low vision among individuals seeking ophthalmic care is necessary for proper planning of service provision, and determining effective implementation programs is essential to maximize use of limited resources in the field.
With the advent of electronic health records (EHR), we now have the data and information infrastructure to support rigorous measurement of the prevalence of low vision, referral for patients meeting the American Academy of Ophthalmology visual acuity low vision criterion, and strategies aimed at increasing LVR utilization in this population. This is a three phase project being conducted at the Wilmer Eye Institute and 8 satellite locations. Phase 1 aims utilize the EHR to identify the incidence and prevalence of low vision and utilization of LVR services at this academic institution. Phase 2 involves developing a “Best Practice Advisory” (BPA) in the EHR for consideration of referral to LVR. This phase includes piloting the BPA among a sub-set of Wilmer faculty, revising the BPA as needed, and developing the reporting and data management systems. By testing systems in advance, we intend to gain physician “buy-in” to the initiative and limit system and reporting errors. Phase 3 will test the effects of a BPA on LVR referral behavior across all clinical faculty, and assess the uptake of LVR services by patients with low vision.
This is an abstract that was submitted for the 2018 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Honolulu, Hawaii, April 29 - May 3, 2018.