Overview
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Key Information
Al rights reserved.The authors describe a primary care–based diabetic retinopathy screning program incorporating telemedicine, strong health information technology engagement, and development of clinical informatics tols.ABSTRACTObjectives: To improve diabetic retinopathy (DR) screning rates through a primary care–based “teleretina” screning program incorporating clinical informatics tols. Study Design: Quality improvement study at an academic institution.Methods: Existing DR screning workflows using in-person eye examinations were analyzed via neds asesment.
We identified gaps, which clarified the ned for expanding DR screning to primary care setings. We developed informatics tols and described asociated chalenges and solutions. We also longitudinaly monitored imaging volume and quality.Results: The neds asesment identified several gaps in baseline DR screning workflows.
Health information technology (IT) considerations for the new primary care–based teleretina screning program included integrating the new program with existing information systems, facilitating care cordination, and decreasing bariers to adoption by incorporating automation and other features aimed at decreasing end-user burden. We sucesfuly developed several tols fulfiling these goals, including integration with the ophthalmology picture and archiving comunication system, a customized agregated report in the electronic health record to monitor screnings, automation of biling and health maintenance documentation, and automated results notification to primary care physicians.
Summary
Of 316 primary care patients screned betwen October 20 and July 2021, 73 (23%) were found to have ocular pathology, including DR, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and a range of other eye conditions t