title: Cambridgeshire cataract shared care model: community optometrist-delivered postoperative discharge scheme.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate a community optometrist-delivered postoperative discharge scheme in patients who underwent same day discharge from the hospital eye service (HES) following cataract surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  A service-level agreement (SLA) was agreed between the HES, primary care trust and community optometrists in Cambridgeshire regarding community follow-up after cataract surgery. Patients undergoing uncomplicated surgery with no significant ocular comorbidity were eligible for same day discharge to community optometrists. Feedback return rate and unintended medical interventions were assessed using an electronic medical record system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Over a 23-month period, a total of 1492 of 2461 (60.6%) Cambridgeshire patients were discharged to the community on the day of cataract surgery. Complete postoperative feedback was available in 96.85% of these patients. Uneventful postoperative recovery was recorded in 93.77% of patients with 2.95% of patients re-referred. Rates of cystoid macular oedema, uveitis and raised intraocular pressure were 0.6%, 1% and 0.1%, respectively. No patients had sight-threatening complications in this study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Postcataract surgery follow-up by community optometrists provides the advantages of care closer to home and avoids unnecessary hospital visits for patients undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery.
authors: Cataract & Cornea service, Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors: George
authors: G
authors: Voyatzis
authors: Cataract & Cornea service, Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Harry W
authors: HW
authors: Roberts
authors: Cataract & Cornea service, Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Jonathan
authors: J
authors: Keenan
authors: Cataract & Cornea service, Cambridge Eye Unit, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK Vision and Eye Research Unit (VERU), Postgraduate Medical Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK.
authors: Madhavan S
authors: MS
authors: Rajan
mesh_terms: D000359:Aftercare / Q000458:organization & administration*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002387:Cataract Extraction; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003266:Continuity of Patient Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D008875:Middle Aged; D017146:Models, Organizational; D009885:Ophthalmology; D009907:Optometry / Q000458:organization & administration*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010351:Patient Discharge; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Epidemiology; Treatment Surgery