Assessing the Efficacy of Ophthalmic Transfers to an Academic Level 1 Trauma Hospital: Diagnostic Accuracy and Intervention Rates.
Pretransfer eye-provider evaluation was associated with more accurate transfer diagnoses.
Assessing the Efficacy of Ophthalmic Transfers to an Academic Level 1 Trauma Hospital: Diagnostic Accuracy and Intervention Rates.
To characterize ophthalmic transfers from hospital, emergency department (emergency department), and urgent care settings to an academic level 1 trauma center and to evaluate the accuracy of transferring diagnoses and rate of intervention after transfer.
All patients transferred from outside hospitals, EDs, and urgent care centers accepted by the ophthalmology service at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington, from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2023.
pretransfer eye-provider exams led to more correct transfer diagnoses
Of 685 total transfers, 6.1% of patients received an in-person evaluation by an eye care provider before transfer, and 11.3% were discussed with an eye care provider from the transferring facility.
Median (interquartile range [IQR]) travel distance was 30 (16-57) miles, and the median (IQR) time from transfer acceptance to arrival was 216 (158-314) minutes.
Transfer diagnoses were accurate in less than half (48.9%) of cases.
Diagnostic accuracy and likelihood of procedural intervention or admission are higher in patients who undergo an ophthalmic or optometric examination before hospital transfer, suggesting that standardized pretransfer evaluation protocols could enhance diagnostic precision and optimize resource use.
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.