The Optometric Minute

Practicing Optometry in a Hospital Setting

April 3, 2019

Hospitals offer optometrists the chance to be part of a health-care team providing optometric medical care for the patient. Here’s how one OD uses his expertise to improve eyecare for patients at Mount Sinai St. Luke’s Hospital in New York City.

Unique Opportunity
Focus on Care & Efficiency

A RARE OPPORTUNITY. Few ODs currently practice in hospital settings, but those who do provide much-needed services of primary and secondary eyecare. ODs can rapidly clear up backlogs and improve critical measurements of quality of care.

PRACTICE HIGH-LEVEL MEDICAL EYECARE. An OD working in the same department as ophthalmologists may be able to manage all but the most advanced ocular disease.

REFER FOR SYSTEMIC CARE. You have MDs under the same roof to refer patients for systemic care in cases in which you suspect diabetes or other conditions affecting the patient’s whole body.

 

 

 

REDUCE WAIT TIMES. A patient may wait 100 days or longer for an available eyecare appointment in a health system. With the addition an OD who provides primary and secondary care, a health care system can rapidly clear up this backlog and improve their patient satisfaction scores.

INCREASE EFFICIENCY. A well-funded health system may be able to provide access to advanced technology that can offer both a high level of care and efficiency.

LOOK AT PATIENT OUTCOMES. Health systems track patient outcomes, with a strong emphasis on how a team of doctors were able to work together to provide quality care.

 

 

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