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New research · Ophthalmology
Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia · 5d
StudyArchivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia · 2026

Cost-efficiency analysis of the Quixote® tele-ophthalmology programme at Hospital Universitario de Jerez.

J Benitez-Del-Castillo, V Kosaka-Zanabria, F González-Del-Valle … M Rodriguez-Herrera
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OphthalmologyStudy

Tele-ophthalmology triage program was linked to shorter waits for eye specialist care.

Cost-efficiency analysis of the Quixote® tele-ophthalmology programme at Hospital Universitario de Jerez.

J Benitez-Del-Castillo … M Rodriguez-Herrera
Archivos de la Sociedad Espanola de Oftalmologia · 2026
Background

To calculate the cost per patient of ophthalmological care for patients referred from primary care under a telematic model (Quixote® project), compared with conventional face-to-face care at the Hospital Universitario de Jerez, within the Jerez, Sierra de Cádiz, and Northwest Coast Health Area (Spain).

Methods

Comparative analysis of direct costs of telematic ophthalmological care versus the traditional face-to-face model, alongside a retrospective observational evaluation of efficiency after implementation of the Quixote® project.

n = 4288 patients
Results

average wait for a specialist eye visit dropped by more than half

4606
Before
1684
After
More results

Among 4288 patients evaluated in the Quixote® project at HUJ, 2659 patients (62%) required referral for face-to-face hospital assessment, while 1629 (37.9%) were discharged.

The cumulative waiting list decreased from 4606 to 1684 patients (-64%; 95%CI, 61.7%-66.3%; P < .0001).

“
Conclusion · 1 of 2

Implementation of the Quixote® tele-ophthalmology program is a cost-efficient strategy for delivering ophthalmological care.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

It improves patient throughput from primary care, reduces waiting lists, optimizes hospital resources, and facilitates early detection of relevant diseases.

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