Virtual triaging in an eye emergency department during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Aim The aim of this audit was to assess the effect of new guidelines on virtual triage referrals to an Irish eye emergency department (EED) during the COVID-19 pandemic. 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 was then done to assess outcomes after introduction of the guidelines in November. Results A total of 1700 patients were referred to the eye emergency department, 861 in October and 839 in November. A total of 577 patients were triaged for in-person EED review in November, compared to 692 prior to implementation of guidelines ( p < 0.05). The number of patients referred straight to outpatients ( p < 0.05) and treated over the phone ( p < 0.05) was also significantly increased. Ultimately, the number of conditions unnecessarily triaged to EED, as per the guidelines implemented, was significantly reduced ( p < 0.05). Conclusion 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.

How Virtual Triage Can Improve Patient Experience and Satisfaction: A Narrative Review and Look Forward

“…VT may positively impact the patient's experience by lowering the need for in-person visits and thus potentially making health care more accessible and efficient, 9 especially with VT-based self-diagnosis tools that require no staff involvement and are immediately available 24/7. 4 This is comforting to patients—they are able to obtain information regarding their condition anywhere and anytime.…”

Presentations to eye emergency departments with flashes and floaters differ dependent on incident solar radiation

“…Furthermore, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (COVID-19) pandemic saw the rise of telemedicine to prominence as the most effective method by which to provide ophthalmic care. Telemedicine has remained an effective, post-pandemic method of triaging patients, thereby reducing the number of face-to-face consultations required while simultaneously increasing virtual management of ophthalmic conditions [9,10].…”