CATARACT SURGERY WAITING TIME FOR DAY CARE OPERATION THEATRE IN UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA MEDICAL CENTRE

Received 2020-07-25; Accepted 2021-09-20; Published 2021-11-07

Abstract

Objective: To ascertain if the current standard for cataract surgery waiting time of 12 weeks or less in the UMMC Day Care Operation Theatre (OT) is > 80% met; and to identify the causes and possible measures to be taken if the standard is not met.
Design: Retrospective analysis of patients’ medical records.

Methods: The medical records of all patients who underwent cataract surgery in the Day Care OT between 1st October to 31st December 2017 were analysed.

Results: A total of 230 patients underwent the surgery and from these, 219 patients were included. Only 63% of patients had a waiting time less than 12 weeks while 81.7% waited less than 16 weeks for the surgery. The common reasons found for the long waiting time were limited OT slots for cataract operations (71.6%), blepharitis (6.2%), uncontrolled co-morbidities (5%), patient requests (4.9%), financial problems, heart and lungs problems (1.2% each).

Conclusion: Out of 219 patients included in this audit, 63% underwent cataract surgery at our centre within 3 months. Of those who waited more than 3 months, 72% were due to limited OT slots. Further interventions should be carried out to improve the surgery waiting time and hence increase the quality of health services in the country.