MID-VALLEY RETINAL CAMERA AND LASER CLINIC

About the Program

Category: Health (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Diabetic disease is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans. Diabetes is the most prevalent chronic disease in their population. Improving eye care for diabetic patients results in substantial budgetary savings and is a highly cost-effective investment for the system and society. The demand for eye exams exceeded capacity and available resources. Clinical efficiencies were improved by expanding the nursing staff’s scope of practice. To address the backlog, Retinal Camera Scan guidelines and a procedure for imaging were implemented. This resulted in a 60% increase in clinical capacity. Previously, patients with progressive eye disease referred to Olive View-UCLA Medical Center waited four to six months for a laser procedure. Restructuring with an after-hour Retinal Laser Clinic decreased clinic wait-time from more than one year to approximately 4 weeks. Patients with progressive disease were now treated on-site with timely laser procedures preventing costly complications. These restructured services have realized significant cost savings, cost avoidance for the system, and improved quality of care and life for the patient.