Exploration of management workflow of cataract surgery in an impoverished population in urban China.

PURPOSE

To explore and establish a rational management workflow for a free cataract surgery program for the poor population in urban China, aiming to improve surgical efficiency.

METHODS

Establishment of a management workflow mainly includes system design and an auxiliary facility. System design procedures consist of outpatient screening, outpatient physical examination, surgical procedures, and postoperative clinic visits. After establishing the management workflow of cataract surgery, a free cataract surgery program was conducted for 15 months.

RESULTS

Based upon the established management mode, 9003 patients received preoperative screening and 2358 underwent cataract surgery. During the 15-month investigation, each procedure was successfully conducted, the efficiency of screening and operation attained the highest standards in China, and no surgical malpractice occurred intraoperatively.

CONCLUSION

In this study, a management workflow for cataract surgery was designed for a poverty relief project in urban China. During the 15-month project, the degree of patient satisfaction was enhanced without disrupting the normal practice and safety of the sponsor hospital.