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Submitted: 2023-07-31
DOI: 10.35119/myjo.v6i2.390
Original Articles
Published: 2024-07-04

Improving patient compliance for intravitreal injections during the COVID-19 pandemic

Department of Ophthalmology, Penang Hospital, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia; UM Eye Research Centre (UMERC), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Department of Ophthalmology, Penang Hospital, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
UM Eye Research Centre (UMERC), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
anti-vascular endothelial growth factor COVID-19 intravitreal injection patient compliance waiting time

Abstract

Purpose: Intravitreal injections (IVT) of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor are standard treatment procedures in ophthalmology for many retinal diseases. We conducted a full-cycle clinical audit to evaluate patient compliance with IVT in Penang Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Study design: Full cycle audit.

Methods: A 3-month audit was carried out on patients scheduled to receive IVT in the operation theatre between August and October 2019 (COVID-19 pre-pandemic period). Patient compliance rates were calculated. We set a target of 95% patient compliance rate. Interventional steps taken to improve compliance were carried out from April 2020 to September 2021 (during the Movement Control Order period). A 3-month re-audit was conducted between October and December 2021.

Results: A total of 481 patients were scheduled for IVT, and 50 patients (10.4%) did not present to the appointment. The compliance rate was 89.6%. The reasons for defaulting treatment included multiple hospital visits, transportation issues, cost of transportation, loss of daily wages, and fear of COVID-19 infection. Post-intervention, a total of 895 patients were scheduled for IVT in 3 months. Among these patients, 844 patients completed their IVT appointment, while 51 patients missed the scheduled IVT. The patients’ compliance rate also rose from 89.6% to 94.3%. There was also an increase of 87.1% in the total number of scheduled IVT as compared to the pre-intervention phase.

Conclusion: These interventions not only increased the number of patients receiving treatment but also improved patients’ compliance with IVT despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients benefited from reduced hospital visits, the cost of follow-up, and the risk of hospital infection.