Authors (including presenting author) :
Ng KY, Avita SC Poon, Patrick HK Chow, Christina YS Tsang, Wong YL, Wilson WK Yip, Young A
Affiliation :
Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Prince of Wales Hospital
Introduction :
In usual way, ophthalmology pre-consultation assessments were divided into two parts. The first was for visual acuity (VA) testing in VA room and the second for non-contact tonometry (NCT), auto-refraction (AR) and pupil dilation in another room. Patients had to wait for VA checking after arrival. Then, they needed to wait again for NCT, AR and pupil dilation. As a result, patients waited for more than one hour before seeing the ophthalmologist. This arrangement also induced CID checking repeatedly. Extra manpower was also needed for transferring medical records between different rooms. In some cases, patients felt confused and led to repeated enquiry or even complaints. Besides, during VA assessment, staff hold a pointer when using conventional light box VA chart which posed an OSH risk.
Objectives :
1. To reduce waiting time within 1 hour before seeing the doctors 2. To improve patients’ journey by combining all pre-consultation assessments in a one-stop station. 3. 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 :
One-stop station was fully implemented in Sept 2022. 3-months average of pre-consultation waiting time before and after implementation was 41.6 minutes and 21.1 minutes respectively. The average waiting time significantly reduced by 20.5 minutes (49.3%) in 75% tile. The KPI of seeing the doctors within 1 hour in SOPC was achieved. Patients’ journey was improved in which patients received all pre-consultation assessments in a one-stop station. OSH risk was decreased by using SSC without a pointer.
