Comments and Responses

View: earliest first

Our facility has discussed trying patient dilation at home. We have heard feedback that California regulates this. Does anyone have feedback as to whether California allows self-dilation by the patient prior to admission to an ASC?

Jennifer C. (Other) at July 9, 2012 (3:39 pm)

One of our Ophthalmologists gives the patient dilating drops to be used prior to arrival and then we give 1 set of dilating drops in the pre-op area. Since his patients spend little time in the pre-op area it is very helpful.

The other 4 Cataract Surgeons and the Reina Surgeons do not have to patient predilate at home.

C. Pearson (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at June 26, 2012 (9:29 am)

Our center utilizes a dilating gel/mixture after arrival so vision isn't impaired when signing consent forms.
Patients are called 1 wk prior to surgery to give surgical times, instructions and answer any questions. This is a front desk staff duty. The RN's created a triage check list specific for surgeon preferences. Any question or concern the front desk is unable to answer is forwarded to nursing staff.

M. Smith (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at May 4, 2012 (10:37 am)

We have our patients start the ATB drops at home but don't do the dilating drops until after they sign consents.

S. johnson (OR Manager/Supervisor) at April 18, 2012 (10:16 am)

We've had our patients dilate at home for the past two years. Occasionally we have a non-compliant patient, but they are far and few between.It has saved an incredible amount of time in pre-op. The patient's are sold the drops at cost by the surgeon's office and given written instructions how to dilate using the drops.

Andrea H. (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Executive Officer) at April 17, 2012 (6:40 am)

Patients only use antibiotic drops prior to check in. Dilation begins immediately in pre op.

Christine Cundiff (Director, Surgical Services/Director of Nursing) at April 16, 2012 (3:52 pm)

We tried having patients start the dilating process at home after being given the drops at the surgeon's office. We had a number of patients use them post op so we asked them to bring the drops along with the intention of collecting them and disposing of them here at the ASC. Many patients forgot to bring them along. Now we dilate here at the ASC once they have signed consents forms and discharge instructions.

R. Mahnke (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at April 15, 2012 (11:41 am)

Yes, we have pre-dilated our cataract patients for at least 10 years. They use the dilating drops the morning of surgery, just as they do their antibiotic drops. This also serves as a self-marking of the surgical site. It's very, very efficient because them come in ready for surgery. We give them the dilating drop to use. Only problem is a few months ago all suppliers quintupled the cost of the drops, so we're constantly on the watch for new sources. If this becomes financially impossible to sustain our surgeons may go to using Epi-Shugarcaine in the operating room. It's an intracameral irrigation that dilates in seconds, and will still avoid having to slowly dilate the patient in the pre-op area.

Paul K. (Medical Director/Chief Surgeon) at April 15, 2012 (8:39 am) [last edited on April 15, 2012 (8:57 am)]

Dilating drops are begun at our center after admission documents and pre-op assessment of NPO status and acceptable vital signs. Some patients arrive confused to which eye it is if a first eye and have dropped wrong eye with pre-op antibiotics, so not sure how well at home dilating would work for us.

Laurel M. (Other) at April 13, 2012 (3:14 pm)

Our ASCs start the installation of drops on arrive to the PreOp Holding. We ask our patients to arrive at least 1 hour before their scheduled procedure
Great concept to pre-dilate. Will hold meetings with ophthalmologist to trial a QAPI study

Marilyn Christian (Administrator/Director/Manager/Owner/Exec. Officer) at April 13, 2012 (3:13 pm)

Next Page »