TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2008//
TI  - Patients presenting to an Ophthalmic Emergency Department after 5pm
JO  - Irish medical journal
A1  - Prendiville, C.
A1  - Nasser, Q. J.
A1  - McGettrick, P.
SP  - 116
EP  - 118
VL  - 101
IS  - 4
N2  - 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>
LA  - en
SN  - 0332-3102
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -