title: Scope of resident ophthalmology consultation service and patient follow-up rates at a level 1 trauma center in Brooklyn, New York.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to investigate the most common reasons for urgent ophthalmology consultations in both the emergency room and inpatient settings at a large public hospital served by a busy ophthalmology residency program, and to track patient follow-up rates.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of all patients evaluated by the ophthalmology consultation service at Kings County Hospital Center from June 2003 to October 2005 using a retrospective hospital-based study design. We categorized emergency room patients and inpatients into traumatic and nontraumatic subgroups, and looked at diagnoses and patient demographics, as well as follow-up patterns for emergency room consultations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 743 patients were evaluated; 436 (59%) were emergency room patients and 307 (41%) were inpatients. Consultation for traumatic eye injury was provided for 399 patients (54%), accounting for 284 (65%) of the emergency room consults and 115 (37.5%) of the inpatient consults. The most common reason for inpatient consultation was to rule out ocular manifestations of systemic disease (57 patients, 29.7%), while the most common final diagnosis for trauma inpatient consultation was orbital wall fracture (59 patients, 51.3%). In total, 262 patients (60%) in the emergency room consultation group returned for follow-up care; 162 (57%) of the trauma patients followed up and 100 (66%) of the nontrauma patients followed up.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the eye conditions and follow-up rates evaluated by the ophthalmology service at Kings County Hospital Center. By evaluating the follow-up patterns of these patients, we may be able to alter patient counseling to increase patient compliance.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Ophthalmology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Kings County Hospital Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Allison E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Rizzuti
authors.forename: Marianna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vastardi
authors.forename: Mohammedyusuf
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hajee
authors.forename: Douglas R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Lazzaro
keywords: follow-up; inpatients; ophthalmology; outpatients; residency program; urgent consultation