Enhanced Cataract Referral module for Primary Care
Starting the Enhanced Cataract Referral service
The below guide shows how to initiate an enhanced cataract referral appointment for a patient. The process begins in the patient management screen where the first booking can be made. Having found the patient on the database, you will have the ability to select the enhanced cataract referral tab, adjacent to the patient’s name.
Ensure you have the correct patient and select any patient factors required.
Next, collect the patients preferred contact number, consent for the ability for their record to be held and consent for communication with them via SMS, email, letter or phone. As well as the patient’s explicit consent to view their summary care record.
Following this, complete the promoted appointment detail questions before discussing surgical provider options. Use the Primary Eyecare Services Cataract Provider Choice Tool Link to discuss surgical provider options with the patient. The patient must be given a choice to receive the link to Primary Eyecare Services Cataract Provider Choice Tool as part of the Enhanced Cataract Referral Assessment. Click here to view the Cataract Provider Choice Tool
The Enhanced Cataract appointment will now be submitted, and the episode will then be waiting on your referral management screen for your patient to attend their Enhanced Cataract Referral appointment.
Carrying out the Enhanced Cataract Referral
The below steps will guide you through the completion of the clinical assessment for the Enhanced Cataract Referral.
Having found the patient on the referral management page, you will have the ability to select the yellow enhanced cataract tab, adjacent to the patient’s name. On the left-hand side, you will have the details relating to their prior activity within the service. On the right-hand side, you would record all the necessary health and lifestyle questions in the assessment.
Selecting next, the following screens will ask for the following information;
- Patient's current visual acuity and current refractions.
- Confirmation that the benefits and risks have been explained to the patient and the patients understanding of those is sufficient to be able to make an informed decision about the onward referral for the cataract surgery.
- Completed sight clinical assessment
- Confirmation that the correct procedure is being followed according to your local policy requirements. There will be the ability to view the policy by clicking the blue tab and a summary of that policy will be available to view on the tab.
On the ‘Outcome Recording’ Page, you will also see another link for the Cataract Provider Choice Tool. After confirming the patient meets the local policy requirements, the clinical assessment will now be complete and upon exit of this page you will be taken back to your referral management page. You will note now that the clinical assessment has been completed for this patient, and you will have the red refer to HES tab.
As a reminder, here is the link to the Primary Eyecare Services Cataract Patient Choice Tool: Find a Hospital
And here is the link to the guidance on the tool: OPERA Help Page
Sending the Enhanced Cataract Referral to HES
All referrals need to be actioned by clicking the HES tab. Check the details and go through to the provider choice page.
You will note it presents providers closest to the patient’s postcode who provide cataract surgery. Once a patient’s chosen provider is selected, on the next page you have the ability to add any further attachments or images if you believe useful. On the following page, select submit.
Once submitted, this will send the referral to the chosen provider for their cataract surgery.