Going paperless: improved cataract surgery outcome data quality in a new fully electronic unit

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Surgical Outcomes
• Health Informatics

Background:

• The Royal College of Ophthalmologists National Ophthalmology Database (RCOphth NOD) provides benchmarks for cataract surgery outcomes.
• Implementing electronic medical records in ophthalmology aims to improve data collection and patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report outcome data for the first 5000 consecutive cataract operations at a new paperless eye unit.
• To benchmark the unit's data against the RCOphth NOD Audit Report 2017.

Main Methods:

• Data from 5008 consecutive cataract operations were compiled using the electronic medical records system's audit tool.
• Intra-operative and post-operative complications, along with visual acuities, were recorded.

Main Results:

• The overall intra-operative complication rate was 2.4%, with posterior capsular rupture being the most common (1.14%).
• Pre- and post-operative visual acuity data were recorded in 98.0% of cases.
• 40.8% of eyes achieved 6/6 or better visual acuity, and 90.7% achieved 6/12 or better.

Conclusions:

• Paperless ophthalmology units can generate near-complete cataract surgery datasets, comparable to national audits.
• High data completeness in electronic systems enhances the reliability of aggregate outcome data.
• The study validates RCOphth NOD audit reports while highlighting potential data completeness issues in standard audit criteria.