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Implementation of a pilot teleretinal screening protocol for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy in a Los Angeles County safety net clinic.
- Source :
-
Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare . Sep2023, Vol. 29 Issue 8, p648-656. 9p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Introduction: This study aimed to determine whether teleretinal screening for hydroxychloroquine retinopathy (HCQR) improves clinical efficiency and adherence to recommended screening guidelines compared to face-to-face screening among patients in a large safety net medical system. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study of a consecutive sample of 590 adult patients with active HCQ prescriptions seen in the outpatient ophthalmology clinic at Los Angeles County + University of Southern California Medical Center from 1 September 2018 to 25 November 2019, 203 patients underwent technician-only tele-HCQR screening (THRS), and 387 patients underwent screening with traditional face-to-face visits (F2FV) with an eye-care provider. Data on clinic efficiency measures (appointment wait time and encounter duration) and adherence to recommended screening guidelines were collected and compared between the two cohorts. Results: Compared to F2FV, the THRS cohort experienced significantly shorter median (interquartile range) time to appointment (2.5 (1.5–4.6) vs. 5.1 (2.9–8.4) months; p < 0.0001), shorter median encounter duration (1 (0.8–1.4) vs. 3.7 (2.5–5.2) hours; p < 0.0001) and higher proportion of complete baseline screening (102/104 (98.1%) vs. 68/141 (48.2%); p < 0.001) and complete chronic screening (98/99 (99%) vs. 144/246 (58.5%); p < 0.001). Discussion: A pilot THRS protocol was successfully implemented at a major safety net eye clinic in Los Angeles County, resulting in a 50.9% reduction in wait times for screening, 72.9% reduction in encounter duration and 49.9% and 40.5% increases in proportions of complete baseline and chronic screening, respectively. Tele-HCQ retinal screening protocols may improve timeliness to care and screening adherence for HCQR in the safety net setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *MEDICAL screening
*HYDROXYCHLOROQUINE
*SCREEN time
*EYE protection
*PATIENT safety
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1357633X
- Volume :
- 29
- Issue :
- 8
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 171103622
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1177/1357633X211018102