'One-stop' cataract surgery: the Bristol Eye Hospital experience 1997-1999

To evaluate patient satisfaction with and effectiveness of the 'one-stop' cataract service at the Bristol Eye Hospital.

One hundred and ninety patients referred with a view to cataract surgery were selected to attend 24 'one-stop' clinics between February 1997 and August 1999. Patients had initial assessment in the morning with suitable cases undergoing surgery during the afternoon. Forty 'one-stop' patients and 40 patients undergoing traditional surgery (three separate visits: initial clinic, pre-assessment and surgery) were surveyed by a questionnaire to determine their satisfaction with the service.

One hundred and fifty-six of 190 (82.1%) patients invited to one-stop clinics underwent surgery the same day. Questionnaires were returned by 72 patients (35 'one-stop' and 37 control patients). Twenty-eight (80%) 'one stop' patients were 'very satisfied' and 7 (20%) were 'satisfied' with the time allowed to decide upon undergoing surgery, compared with 21 (57%) and 16 (43%) respectively in the control group (p = 0.06, chi-square, not significant). Overall satisfaction with the service was similar between the groups, with 33 (94%) of 'one-stop' and 35 (95%) of control patients considering the service 'very good'.

There is a high level of patient satisfaction with a 'one-stop' cataract service which reduces hospital attendance from three visits to one. Potential problems include wasted theatre space when there is a shortfall of suitable cases on the day.