@article{ref1,
title="Patients presenting to an Ophthalmic Emergency Department after 5pm",
journal="Irish medical journal",
year="2008",
author="Prendiville, C. and Nasser, Q. J. and McGettrick, P.",
volume="101",
number="4",
pages="116-118",
abstract="We 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.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0332-3102",
doi="",
url="http://dx.doi.org/"
}