Authors (including presenting author) :
Chow HK(1), Poon SC(1)
Affiliation :
(1)Eye Centre, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
In usual way, ophthalmology pre-consultation assessments are separated in two rooms. One for visual acuity (VA) assessment and one for non-contact tonometry (NCT), auto-refraction (AR) and pupil dilation. In this way, patients have to wait for the second room to receive NCT, AR and pupil dilation after waiting for VA assessment in the first room. This will prolong the total waiting time before seeing the ophthalmologist.
This arrangement also induces repeated CID checking. Medical records needed to be transferred between rooms. In some cases, patients may feel confused and lead to repeated enquiry or even complaints.
During VA assessment, staff have to hold a pointer when using conventional light box VA chart which poses an OSH risk.
Objectives :
To reduce waiting time by combining all pre-consultation assessments in a one-stop station.
To eliminate OSH risk by using a new space saving chart (SSC) which does not need a pointer.
Methodology :
A task force was set up consisting optometrists, nurses and PCAs. The task force explored the use of SSC, combined NCT and AR machine (TonoRef III), designed new workflow and VA work settings.
SSC- short testing distance at 1.3m, no mirror needed no pointer needed
TonoRef III- NCT and AR in one machine
Design new VA work setting so that patient can receive VA assessment, NCT, AR and pupil dilation in one station
Staff training- SSC and TonoRef III dealers provide training to all staff
On-job training provided by senior staff
Result & Outcome :
Full implementation of one-stop station started in Sept 2022.
3-months average of pre-consultation waiting time before implementation was 41.6 minutes.
3-months average of pre-consultation waiting time after implementation was 21.1 minutes.
The average waiting time reduced by 20.5 minutes (49.3%)
Patient flow was modified that patients can receive all pre-consultation assessments in a one-stop station.
OSH risk was eliminated by using SSC which does not need a pointer.
