The efficacy of a nurse-led preoperative XXXX assessment and postoperative care clinic.

@entity1 @entity227 @entity231
OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation of a nurse-led preoperative @entity231 assessment and postoperative care clinic and to assess the safety, efficacy and outcomes. DESIGN, SETTING AND @entity1 : A prospective study involving 185 public @entity1 (221 eyes) referred to the Department of Ophthalmology at Flinders Medical Centre for @entity231 surgery. The study was conducted between February 2003 and August 2004. INTERVENTIONS: @entity1 were assessed in the nurse-led preoperative assessment clinic. Those deemed suitable for @entity231 surgery were also assessed by an ophthalmologist and underwent @entity231 surgery if appropriate. The nurse managed postoperative care. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Concordance between nurse practitioner and ophthalmologist assessments; waiting times for first clinic appointment and surgery; visual acuity and degree of @entity227 ; @entity1 satisfaction. RESULTS: 114 @entity1 (61.6%) were assigned to see the ophthalmologist for @entity231 surgery. Median waiting times fell from 115 days (range, 23-268 days) to 21 days (range, 9-43 days) for initial clinic appointment, and from 44 days (range, 5-148 days) to 29 days (range, 14-154 days) for surgery. All 114 @entity1 were listed for @entity231 surgery, and surgery had been performed on 121 eyes by the end of the study. After surgery, visual acuity improved by a mean of 0.45 logMAR (logarithm of the minimal angle of resolution) (SD, 0.24; range, 0.08-1.32). All @entity1 had improved visual ability and high levels of satisfaction. Three quality assurance evaluations demonstrated full concordance between nurse and ophthalmologist assessments. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing a nurse-led @entity231 assessment clinic improved access to care for public @entity1 with @entity231 . The safety and efficacy of the program and its excellent visual and @entity1 -centred outcomes commend its adaptation and implementation to other ophthalmology departments.
