Abstract
Purpose :
The aim of this audit was to assess the effect of new guidelines on phone triage referrals to an Irish eye emergency department (EED) during the Covid-19 Pandemic. We intended to maximise virtual reviews of non-urgent conditions to reduce footfall within the department.
Methods :
A retrospective phone triage referral and clinical note audit was performed to assess outcomes of phone triaging in October. Guidelines for phone triage were formulated with particular regard to what conditions should be seen in EED, treated over the phone or sent straight to outpatients clinic or minor procedures. A prospective phone triage referral and case note audit to assess outcomes after introduction of the guidelines in November
Results :
A total of 1,700 patients were referred to the eye emergency department, 861 in October and 839 in November. A total of 617 patients were triaged to EED in November, compared to 692 prior to implementation of guidelines (p < 0.05). The number of patients referred straight to outpatients (74 in November vs 51 in October) (p < 0.05) and treated over the phone (131 vs 104) (p < 0.05) was also significantly reduced. Ultimately, the number of conditions wrongly triaged to EED, as per the guidelines implemented, was significantly reduced (91 vs 240) (p < 0.05).
Conclusions :
This audit addressed the need to reduce footfall during the Covid-19 pandemic, identified suitable avenues of referrals for certain conditions and demonstrated that these guidelines significantly reduced the number of patients presenting to EED with conditions amenable to phone review or clinic follow-up.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.