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Irish medical journal · Apr 2008
Patients presenting to an Ophthalmic Emergency Department after 5pm.
- C Prendiville, Q J Nasser, and P McGettrick.
- Sligo General Hospital, The Mall, Sligo. camprendiville@yahoo.ca
- Ir Med J. 2008 Apr 1; 101 (4): 116-8.
AbstractWe analysed the attendance after 5pm at the Ophthalmic Accident and Emergency department of Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Dublin over a period of 34 days. 345 patients attended, 203 (73%) were considered non urgent by the duty ophthalmologist. 12 (3.4%) required immediate admission. 245 (71%) self referred without an accompanying letter. There is a disproportionate amount of non emergency presentations to the RVEEH ophthalmic emergency department that leads to long waiting times and inefficient use of resources. By implementing a multifaceted educational and publicity programme and by improving access to daytime ophthalmic services we will eliminate the need for patients to attend our A&E with non-acute complaints after 5 pm. A new Accident and Emergency department policy is required to prevent inappropriate use of the service after 5 pm.
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