Cataract extraction in a major ophthalmic hospital: day-case or overnight stay?
OBJECTIVE
Cataract surgery is increasing in Australia and represents a significant burden on limited health resources. This study examines the frequency and outcomes of cataract surgery for patients who were hospitalized overnight compared with those treated as day surgery cases.


METHODS
Medical records of 671 consecutive admissions for cataract surgery at the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital were reviewed. Data analysed included demographic features, insurance status, length of hospitalization, ophthalmic conditions, medical conditions, social problems and planned surgical technique. Ophthalmic and anaesthetic complications, active ophthalmic and medical interventions were also studied.


RESULTS
Of the 671 patient admissions for cataract during the study period, 226 (33.4%) were hospitalized overnight. Factors significantly associated with overnight hospitalization in univariate analyses include older age, female sex, country residence, Veterans' Affairs insurance, monocular vision status, pre-existing ischaemic heart disease, pre-existing asthma/chronic obstructive lung disease, absence of carer, transportation problems, planned extra-capsular cataract extraction technique, ophthalmic complications and active ophthalmic and/or medical interventions. After adjusting for possible confounding factors using backwards stepwise multivariate logistic regression models all except pre-existing ischaemic heart disease and ophthalmic complications were significantly associated with overnight admission for cataract surgery. In total, 14 cases (2.1%) needed active ophthalmic and/or medical interventions, 13 overnight cases and one day case.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that many patients who are hospitalized overnight for cataract surgery could be safely treated as day cases. Such a shift in the pattern of care for cataract surgery could provide a significant potential for health care savings.
Atalla
M L
ML
The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital and Centre for Eye Research Australia, East Melbourne, Victoria. atalla@bluep.com
Wells
K K
KK
Peucker
N
N
Yi
Q
Q
McCarty
D J
DJ
Louis
D
D
Taylor
H R
HR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006782:Hospitals, Special / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009885:Ophthalmology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014739:Victoria