Here are 10 clinical findings from an AAAHC Institute for Quality Improvement 2011 study on cataract extraction with lens insertion. One-hundred organizations that perform a combined total of more than 198,000 cataract surgeries annually participated in the study.
Procedure times
1. The median pre-procedure time (defined as patient check-in to start of the procedure) was 81 minutes (range 30 to 157 minutes). Organizations with the shortest pre-procedure times use processes that include standardized charting and sufficient staffing.
2. Average procedure times (defined as the time the procedure starts; i.e., incision, to the time the procedure has ended; i.e., dressing on) ranged from 5 to 38 minutes (median 14 minutes). Average procedure times were lowest for those that used IV + peribulbar block for anesthesia (12 minutes) and greatest for those that used IV + retrobulbar block (19 minutes).
3. The median discharge time (defined as end of the procedure until patient meets discharge criteria) was 13 minutes (range 6 to 31). Organizations with the shortest discharge times attributed their results to practices such as streamlining paperwork and adequate staffing.
Patient outcomes
4. 96 percent of patients were able to schedule their procedures as soon as they wanted.
5. 99 percent said they were comfortable before the procedure and after discharge.
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6. 80 percent were contacted by their health care providers to assess outcomes within 14 days of the procedure.
7. 99 percent said they had adequate understanding of the procedure.
8. 95 percent reported their vision was better post-surgery.
9. 95 percent returned to activities of daily living within one week of the procedure.
10. 99 percent would recommend the procedure to friends or relatives with cataracts.
To learn more about these studies and other ambulatory healthcare reports from the AAAHC Institute, visit www.aaahciqi.org.
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