Utilization of Ophthalmology-Specific Emergency Department Services. (17th February 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sridhar, Jayanth; Isom, Ryan F.; Schiffman, Joyce C.; Ajuria, Luz; Huang, Laura C.; Gologorsky, Daniel; Banta, James T.
• Is Part Of: Seminars in ophthalmology. Volume 33:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 185
• Page End: 190
• Publication Date: 2018-02-17
• Subjects: Conjunctivitis -- eye emergency -- foreign body -- ophthalmic emergency -- utilization; Ophthalmology -- Periodicals; Eye -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Eye -- Surgery -- Periodicals; 617.7005
• DOI: 10.1080/08820538.2016.1188129
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0882-0538

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective : To describe utilization trends of an ophthalmology-specific emergency department (ED). Methods : Prospective cohort study of new patients presenting in the ophthalmology ED for at least a 30-day period in the spring of each year for five consecutive years (2010–14) at a university referral center. A data form, including information about the ED visit and patient demographics, was included in each patient chart. Data were analyzed with Pearson chi-square test and multiple logistic regression. Results : A total of 5323 chart data forms were completed. An average of 42.2 new patients per day presented to the ophthalmology ED. Most common diagnoses were viral conjunctivitis (8.7%), dry eye syndrome (6.6%), and corneal abrasion (6.6%). Non-emergent visits accounted for 35.8% of surveys completed. Factors associated with non-emergent visits included female gender, age 65 years or older, weekday visits, and patient symptom duration greater than one week ( p < 0.0001 for each factor). When compared to all other insurance categories combined, patients who were members of the regional public assistance program were the most likely to present with a non-emergency (48.5% versus 34.9%, p < 0.001), while Workers' Compensation patients were least likely to present with a non-emergency (16% versus 36.5%, p < 0.001). Conclusions : Over one-third of new patient visits were non-emergent. Factors predictive of non-emergent patient visits were female gender, age 65 years or older, duration of symptoms greater than one week, weekday visits, and the form of insurance coverage.