Part 2 of the article can be found through this link :
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/12822Aim: To establish whether the
available ophthalmic theatre time is
being used efficiently and to find ways
how to improve our surgical output and
reduce the waiting list.
Methods: All ophthalmic surgeries
under the care of Mr Franco Mercieca
carried out in Theatre 13 in the sample
months of May and October 2009,
were retrospectively analyzed. Average
times were estimated for all types
of ophthalmic procedures. The total
number of cataract operations and
patients listed for surgery were noted
from beginning of 2006 till end of 2009.
Results: In 2009, this firm has
carried out 572 cataract operations,
81% increase from 2008, of which
52% were performed on weekends and
public holidays. The theatre usage time
in the sample months under study was
89.25% on weekdays and over 94% on
extra sessions. Theatre time wastage
was an average of 8%, half of which
being due to cancellations on the day.
On average over 71% of our theatre
time is used for cataract surgery.
Conclusions: In order to maximize
our theatre time efficiency, we need
to set up a Preoperative Assessment
clinic and encourage more patients
to have their surgery under local
anaesthesia. To reduce the waiting
list the need for a parallel theatre
dedicated solely to cataract surgery under local anaesthesia is of paramount
importance.peer-reviewe
