Assessment of Patients’ Confidence Regarding a New Triage Concept in a Medical Retina Clinic during the First COVID-19 Outbreak

Anahita Bajka, Maximilian Robert Justus Wiest, Timothy Hamann, Mario Damiano Toro and Sandrine Anne Zweifel
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Anahita Bajka: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Maximilian Robert Justus Wiest: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Timothy Hamann: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Mario Damiano Toro: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
Sandrine Anne Zweifel: Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 11, 1-11

Abstract: Background: During the first COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, a new triage concept had to be implemented for patients with retinal diseases having a scheduled appointment at the medical retina clinic. In this study, we aimed to assess patients’ confidence in this triage concept and patients’ satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the outbreak. Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with a diagnosed retinal disease, triaged into three priority groups based on their condition’s urgency during lockdown. After restrictions were eased, a subset of previously triaged patients was interviewed to assess their confidence in the triage and their satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the pandemic. Results: In total, 743 patients were triaged during the lockdown. Over 80% received an urgent appointment (priority 1). Among all priority 1 patients, over 84% attended their appointment and 77% received an intravitreal injection (IVI), while 7% cancelled their appointment due to COVID-19. In post-lockdown interviews of 254 patients, 90% trusted the emergency regimen and received treatment. Conclusions: Our triage seemed to be useful in optimizing access to treatment for patients with retinal diseases. An excellent rating of patients’ confidence in the triage and satisfaction regarding the received treatment during the first COVID-19 outbreak could be achieved.

Keywords: age-related macular degeneration; anti-VEGF; COVID-19 outbreak; diabetic macular edema; emergency regime; eye care; intravitreal injection; patients’ confidence; retinal vein occlusion; triage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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