Virtual program aids follow-up on minor ophthalmic emergencies
A novel virtual follow-up program helped manage minor ophthalmic emergencies through virtual visits, according to a study presented at Real World Ophthalmology.
Ayush A. Parikh and colleagues conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study to explore the outcomes of a virtual emergency department follow-up clinic at Massachusetts Eye & Ear.
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“Near-term follow-up for minor ophthalmic emergencies is often necessary to assess for clinical improvement after initial emergency department (ED) visits but can impose logistical challenges for patients and ophthalmology practices,” the study authors wrote. “While ophthalmic telemedicine has been used for screening and triage, its feasibility and safety for follow-up of minor ophthalmic emergencies has not been reported.”
The study included patients from 145 emergency department encounters from December 2021 to June 2022 who presented with one of a prespecified list of diagnoses suitable for virtual follow-up, including viral conjunctivitis, chalazion and corneal abrasion without infiltrate. Primary outcome measures included feasibility indicators, such as time interval between emergency department visit and virtual visit, no-show rate and mode of telemedicine encounter; patient characteristics; and safety metrics.
No patients seen in the virtual follow-up clinic returned to the ophthalmic emergency department. Twenty-three patients had subsequent referrals for care, including 16 who were referred for follow-up related to their initial diagnosis.
“This [is] the first program of its kind and may serve as a model for other medical and surgical subspecialties with high rates of ED referrals, limited clinic availability and diagnoses that can be managed safely through virtual visits,” the study authors wrote.
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Parikh AA, et al. A novel ophthalmic telemedicine program for follow-up of minor ophthalmic emergencies. Presented at: Real World Ophthalmology; Nov. 5, 2022 (virtual meeting).
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