Exam Room Efficiency-A Team Approach Utilize staff more Have Tech Specialties Increase in techs, equals increased exams per hour The Doctor needs to be a Data interpreter, you become the data gatherer Why? Doctor shortage looms as a crisis By LISA GIRION Los Angeles Times A looming doctor shortage threatens to create a national healthcare crisis by further limiting access to physicians, jeopardizing quality and accelerating cost increases. Twelve states -- including Texas, California and Florida -- report some physician shortages now or expect them within a few years. Across the country patients are experiencing or soon will face shortages in at least a dozen physician specialties, including cardiology and radiology and several pediatric and surgical subspecialties. Healthcare reform predicted to worsen family-doctor shortage, trigger longer ER waits. Bloomberg News (11/13, Wechsler) reported the "health overhaul, aiming to add 36 million Americans to the insurance rolls, will worsen a family-doctor shortage, triggering longer waits for office visits and crowded emergency rooms." Currently, "underserved areas...need 16,679 more primary-care physicians." Indeed, the pending legislation "would raise pay for family doctors, increase residency training and forgive school debt to help meet that deficit." But it's predicted that "those measures...will take years to make a difference." In the meantime, Boston has already seen longer wait times that were "driven in part by" its "healthcare reform initiative." Tech Specialties (Roles) Optical Techs Front Desk Techs Billing & Coding Techs Testing Ophthalmic Techs Exam Room Techs (Drs./Ophthalmic Techs) Etc., Etc. Drs. Techs/Ophthalmic Technicians Duties: Greet the patient (identify yourself) Establish reason for visit Discuss insurance Create a folder Begin exam Drs. Ophthalmic Tech procedures Fills out necessary paperwork, then front desk gives chart to tech Tech calls pt back to pre-testing room: Performs AR, VF Screening (HDT), Reads glasses, color vision, stereo test, (always described purpose of testing). Ask your doctor what he wants for pretesting/pre-exam room (don't assume). 1
Tech then takes pt to exam room: Records HPI, ROS, Meds, Fam Hx, Ocular Hx (include any eye inj, sx and or disease including dates) on the exam sheet. Checks Visual Acuity, preliminary refraction, pupils, motility then puts chart on outside wall and instructs Dr that pt is ready. Dr and Tech go into exam room: Dr goes over Hx with pt then performs final refraction followed by external/internal exam with slit lamp. Goldman, staining, dry evaluation, etc. While the Dr is examining the pt he is dictating to the Tech who is recording the results in the patient s chart. Dr will then decide if further testing is needed. If so tech will take pt to the testing room perform all tests that the Dr has ordered. Dr. wrights orders under plan on exam sheet for documentation purposes and passes off to Testing Tech... Follow the S.O.A.P. rules. He will have already dictated/ written his assessment. Therefore, the plan/testing, will follow the diagnoses in the assessment. Do all testing associated with assessment. Assessment = Finding Finding = proceed with appropriate Testing Exam - Assessment -Plan - Testing Testing Interpretation -Billing and Coding - Next Steps 2
Assessment (example of narrow angle glaucoma) A routine exam turned medical from patient complaint and findings.. (You found something) From Testing, doctor discovers narrow angles, high pressures then quizzes patient on family history and symptoms (previously not mentioned to tech!) Under Assessment, narrow angles, high pressures, headaches in the middle of the night, that wake the patient up. (Refer to Tom's rules) Plan Run: GDX, Visante, Gonio Lens, Fields, Photos, BAT, IOP s, Pachy, DFE, Prescribe glasses (original C.C.)? etc. (Explain what you are doing as you work and why all tests cannot be run on the same day) ***Ophthalmic Tech may pass off the testing Tech at this point. Then Dr. goes on to next exam room with Ophthalmic Tech, etc. (good flow with sufficient tech support) After all testing has been done tech will then walk pt back to exam room for the Dr to go over test results and make a plan for the next visit. Tech will fill out interpretation reports, record any final notes and fill out the flow sheet while the Dr is talking to the pt. GDX The Machine RNFL Evaluation with Scanning Laser Polarimetry GDx VCC Testing Normal What It Does GDx VCC Printout Glaucoma How to interpret the results Fundus Image Parameters Thickness Map Deviation Map TSNIT Graph Comparisons of each scan to the Normative Database allows accurate and rapid interpretation in one exam 3
Go back to Assessment (Write on print out) Is this a good Interpretation and Report? No Based on S.O.A.P, what should it say in the center box? 1.Headaches in the middle of the night 2.Narrow angles 3. High pressures 4.Family history of glaucoma 5. Early cataracts 6.Dry eyes, with keratitis Go to Plan (Write on print out) 1. Begin drops to lower pressure 2. Depending on angles, refer for P.I. 3. Discuss frequency of visits with patient Visante What It Does The Machine How to interpret the results: Go back to Assessment (Write on print out) 1.Narrow angles 2.Headaches in the middle of the night 3. High pressures 4.Family history of glaucoma 5. Early cataracts 6.Dry eyes, with keratitis Go to Plan (Write on print out) 1. Begin drops to lower pressure 2. Depending on angles, refer for P.I. 3. Discuss frequency of visits with patient 4
How to interpret the results Gonioscopy/Gonio Lens Fields This is a proper Interpretation and Report The Machine Follow Assessment and Plan again. Use same criteria for the interpretation and report as with the other machines. Or, use the circle and X s on the exam form. Note: A Visante and a Gonioscopy, theoretically do the same thing. That is, measure the angles of drainage for glaucoma interpretation. What It Does How to interpret the results? 5
Retinal Photos The Machine Go back to Assessment and plan (Use interpretation from slide 18) Follow the same routine/thought throughout all testing (It s the same information over and over again) What it does Physician Interpretation Report RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHY GLAUCOMA Date: Indications for Testing: Symptoms---Suspected Disease---Chronic Disease Photographs Digital Image ure Code: 92250 Right Eye / Left Eye / Both Eyes Test Reliability: Good / Bad Glaucoma Suspect or Pre-Glaucoma Visual Field Defect Glaucoma Mild Damage Retinal Edema Glaucoma Moderate Damage Disorder of Optic Nerve and Visual Pathway Glaucoma Advanced Damage Diabetic Retinopathy Optic Nerve- Focal Notch Macular Degeneration Optic Nerve Atrophy Optic Nerve Cup Enlargement Enlarged Optic Nerve Cup with Other Neural Rim Remaining but Sloped or Pale OD (Right Eye) OS (Left Eye) How to interpret the results? Go back to Assessment and plan Follow the same routine/thought through all testing rative Data: ve Data: Initiate Treatment Yes / No Change Treatment Yes / No an Sig. Tom Annunziato, O.D. and Associates 702 South Main Weatherford, Texas 76086 (817) 594-2121 3608 Alta Mesa Blvd. Fort Worth, Texas 76133 (817) 346-2020 2901 Alta Mere Fort Worth, Texas 76116 (817)244-2020 How to interpret the results? Pachymetry (Pachy) The Machine s Sonogage Pachymeter 6
Visante Pachymetry What they do How to interpret the results? Go back to Assessment and plan Follow the same routine/thought through all testing Pachy Conversion Table: Corneal Thickness Correction Value 445 7 455 6 465 6 475 5 485 4 495 4 505 3 515 2 525 1 535 1 545 0 555-1 565-1 575-2 585-3 595-4 605-4 615-5 625-6 635-6 645-7 OK, the doctor has completed his exam, the ophthalmic Tech has filled her/his testing orders. After all testing has been done tech will then walk pt back to exam room for the Dr to go over test results and make a plan for the next visit. Tech will fill out interpretation reports (after Dr review). Record any final notes and fill out the flow sheet while the Dr is talking to the pt. The doctor will then explain each test to the patient and its relevance to the diagnosis (assessment) and what is his/her plan for the patient. The tech is taking verbal cues from the conversation. 7
Example: since you're pressures are so high, we are going to start you on an eye drop, medication, called Travatan Z. You will take this drop every night before you go to bed. We will start you off with a sample, then write you a prescription if the drop gives us our desired results. This comment to the patient, is another embedded instruction for the tech to place a sample bottle of the patients medication on the desk for the doctor to hand to the patient. Tech will then walk pt up to the front desk to be checked out and schedule next appointment.od or OMD. (This has also been discussed in the exam room and checked at the bottom of the form). Real cases 8
Or, use the form below and send a copy of the exam form. Consult request sticker saves time and is sufficient. Consultations vs. Referrals What s the Difference? Coding for a Consultation vs. a Referral continues to baffle many physicians. Since consultation codes pay substantially more than a referral (new patient) visit, practices often play it safe by coding all such visits as a new patient visit, thereby missing out on the legitimate revenue they have earned for a consultation. On the other hand, depending on your specialty, billing too frequently for consultations is likely to flag you for an audit by Medicare and other payers. So what s the difference? A Consultation is a request by a physician for the advice or opinion of another physician regarding the evaluation and/or management of a specific problem. A Referral is the transfer of care from one physician to a second physician when the second physician assumes responsibility for treatment of the patient. Remember the three Rs of consultations, all of which must be documented in the patient s medical record: You must have received a written Request for consultation from the other physician. You must Render an opinion. You must send a written Report to the requesting physician. Review Tech Procedures (from a tech/kelly s point of view) Pt checks in at front desk: Fills out necessary paperwork, then front desk gives chart to tech Tech calls pt back to pre-testing room: Performs AR, VF Screening (HDT), Reads glasses Tech then takes pt to exam room: Records HPI, ROS, Meds, Fam Hx, Ocular Hx (include any eye inj, sx and or disease including dates) on the exam sheet. Checks Visual Acuity, preliminary refraction, pupils, motility then puts chart in wall and instructs Dr that pt is ready. Dr and Tech go into exam room: Dr goes over Hx with pt then performs refraction followed by internal exam with slit lamp. While the Dr is examining the pt he is dictating to the Tech which is recording the results in the patient s chart. Dr will then decide if further testing is needed. If so tech will take pt to the testing room perform all tests that the Dr has ordered. After all testing has been done tech will then walk pt back to exam room for the Dr to go over test results and make a plan for the next visit. Tech will fill out interpretation reports, record any final notes and fill out the flow sheet while the Dr is talking to the pt. Tech will then walk pt up to the front desk to be checked out and schedule next appointment (with who)? Hand off flow sheet to billing and coding person at front desk for check out...on to the next patient. Total Dr. time with patient,10-20 minutes at most. Total Tech time with patient, possibly an hour or more! Case Studies Less Dr. time, more patients per hour. Requires more tech s to work this well, 2-3/Dr. 9
Case Study #1 Routine Exam Pt comes in with a routine refractive complaint and tech takes pt back to start pretesting. Tech will perform a workup including AR/VF screening, Read Glasses and/or get previous CTL info, Chief Complaint, ROS, Medications, Allergies, Motility, Pupils, History (social, family, prev sx or inj), Visual Acuity, Preliminary refraction. Record prelim refraction on a sticky note and put on the chart. Inform Dr that pt is ready. Dr/Tech go into room. Dr performs refraction and does internal exam. Tech is filling out exam sheet as Dr is dictating. Tech is also filling out glasses Rx and super bill while the Dr is examining the pt. Dr gives pt findings and Tech is still dictating in the chart what the Dr is recommending to the pt as well as a plan including when to return back to the office. Tech walks pt over to the optician (or done in exam room) and explains what Dr is recommending for pt. Case Study #2 Routine exam turns into medical exam Pt makes appt for a routine exam but when tech takes pt back to start testing and gets CC the pt tells the tech she is seeing flashes and floaters. Tech then performs workup like a routine exam then instructs the Dr the pt is ready. Dr/Tech go into exam room and Dr reviews CC. The exam then turns into medical exam based on the complaint and the testing necessary that day. This means we will no longer be using the patients vision insurance for the exam and will switch over to their medical insurance (they can still use their vision ins for glasses that day) Dr will perform refraction and external/internal exam. Dr will then dilate patient and order testing which may include VF and photos. Tech will take pt and perform testing then bring pt back to exam room for DFE. Dr will go over results with pt and make a plan. Tech will be scribing in the chart and filling out interpretation reports while the Dr is spending face to face time with the pt. Case Study #3 Routine Exam / Harvesting Medical Tech performs workup like a routine exam then instructs the Dr the pt is ready. Dr/Tech go into exam room. Dr performs refraction and does IOP & Slit Lamp. During external/internal exam Dr finds that pt has narrow angles, moderately high IOP s, large C/D ratio and Family Hx of glaucoma. Dr then explains to the pt that he/she has findings and will have them back another day under their medical insurance to perform a medical exam and testing. Dr will make a plan while the tech is recording. The assessment should indicate refractive disorder as primary and Narrow angles as a second finding. The plan should indicate glasses RX given and will have pt back for further testing including Visante, Pachy, GDX, IOP and Gonio. Always document plan for the next visit including which testing is indicated. On the next visit tech can perform the testing before the pt sees the Dr. 10
Case Study #4 Medical Exam following Routine Pt comes in and checks in at front desk. Tech gets chart and brings pt back to and performs Visante, Pachy, GDX, and takes pt to exam room to do same workup as routine minus the refraction. Remember we are billing the pt s medical insurance so for a comprehensive exam you will need to go over all elements again with the pt (CC, HPI, ROS, meds, family hx, social hx, allergies), Visual Acuity, pupils, motility. Remember to always clean the equipment (chin rest, phoropter, goldman) between patients. Dr/Tech will go into exam room and Dr will do internal exam including gonio and go over test results with pt. The tech is dictating in the chart as the Dr is performing the internal exam. The tech is also filling out the interpretation reports from the tests performed. While the Dr is talking to the pt the tech should be documenting the assessment and plan in the chart including future tests needed, target IOP and when to have the pt back. If the Dr decides to send the pt for a consult then the tech will put a consult sticker at the bottom of the exam sheet and fill in the question Will LPI prevent angle closure. Tech will then walk the pt up to the front desk to make the appt. Case Study #5 Dry Eye Evaluation Pt comes in for exam and complains of dry, irritated eyes. During external exam Dr discovers pt has DES/SPK. Tech gets out AT sample and plug brochure for Dr to give to pt. This is an example of prompting. Dr will give AT/brochure to pt and have them try that first. Dr will have pt back in 2 wks and if NI w/at Dr will do Temp Plugs. At the 2wk appt pt will get CC/HPI and if NI w/at tech will set up plug tray, instill antibiotic and get out plug int report. Resources 11
Commonly Prescribed Oral Medications Dosages, Uses and Contraindications July, 2005 Oral Antibiotics: Augmentin 500mg BID or *Preceptal Cellulitis Take with food (Penicillin derivative) 875mg BID Sinus infections No in PCN allergy (expensive, followup med) X 10 days Lid lacerations infections (500 avail. generic) Acute Hordeola **New 1000mg XR extended release-bid dosing Z Pack take as directed *Acute Hordeola Good in pregnancy Zithromax (250mg or 500mg Preceptal Cellulitis No in E-mycin allergy X 5 D) (E-mycin derivative) Sinus infections No with Antihistamine RX **New Z Tri-Pack-3 day dosing pack Lid laceration infect. No with Theophylline 1 gm at once Chlamydia No in hepatic disease for OK in PCN allergy Biaxin 250-500mg BID Same as above same as above (E-mycin X 10 days Upper respiratory infection derivative) Erythromycin 333mg TID Acute Hordeola GI upset *inexpensive X 10 days Prophylaxis Best in pregnancy No in E-mycin allergy No with Antihistamine RX No with Theophylline No in Hepatic disease OK in PCN allergy Amoxicillin 500mg TID Acute Hordeola No in PCN allergy *inexpensive X 10 days Prophylaxis Caution if allergies (875mg BID X 10 days Upper respiratory) Take with food Cephalexin 500mg BID Acute Hordeola OK in PCN allergy unless * inexpensive X 10 days Prophylaxis severe allergy * good 1 st choice Keflex 250mg QID Bronchitis Good for anaerobic infectio *inexpensive X 10 days OK in PCN allergy unless s Tetracycline 250 500mg QID Lid disease NO in pregnancy or kids X 1 month Acne Rosacea Causes photosensitivity Doxycycline 100mg BID *Lid disease NO in pregnancy or kids *better compliance BID x 1 month Acne Rosacea Causes photosensitivity *inexpensive then QD 4 months for Meibomianitis 50mg X 14 days, then QD X several months (or 20mg X several mon for Chlamydia 100mg BID X 7 days 400mg qd High-risk patients for MRSA (health care workers) Tequin (oral Zymar) Start pre-op in these patients at risk Also start if intraocular foreign body or endophthalmit suspected http://www.aoa.org/x4940.xml hromycin, Amoxicillin, and Zithromax generally OK for pregnancy. Recommend OB/GYN approval as alwa y antibiotics have pediatric formulations & dosages, check with pharmacist for help. ays ask about allergies, pregnancy, nursing, other meds, and systemic health problems before prescribing MBER, most antibiotics interfere with effectiveness of birth control pills counsel & document! www. PCON.COM WWW.PCON.COM WWW.PCON.COM 12
MEDICAL INSURANCE VERIFICATION Patient s Name Patient s DOB: Home Phone Work Phone Appt. Date Insured s Name Insured s SS# Group # Employer Member # (if different than SS#) Insurance Company Claims Mailing Address Relationship Phone Number Insurance Type: Medical HMO PPO Other Is our doctor participating on this plan? (if no, get out of network benefits) In Network Benefits Out of Network Benefits Does this plan require a referral from the PCP? Effective Date Copay Amount Deductible Amount Has deductible been met? Amount paid to date Benefits other than for office visit % up to out of pocket Does diagnostic testing or procedures for eye disease/disorders require precertification? (Example CPT Codes: 92135, 68761,) Precertification Phone Number Insurance Rep Verifying 1 st Eye Care Employee Verifying Date Verified Patient contacted regarding benefits? Date Contacted Name: DOB: Pachy: OD OS ADJ IOP OD OS DIAGNOSIS DATE PROCEDURE SURGEON PLEASE SCHEDULE ALL MEDICAL FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE SLOWEST MONTHS SLOWEST: (FROM TOP, DOWN) NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL MAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER MARCH JANUARY JULY JUNE BUSIEST: AUGUST PLEASE SCHEDULE ALL MEDICAL FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE SLOWEST MONTHS SLOWEST: (FROM TOP, DOWN) NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL MAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER MARCH JANUARY JULY JUNE BUSIEST: AUGUST TESTING DATE TESTING DATE Allergies: Notes: PLEASE SCHEDULE ALL MEDICAL FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE SLOWEST MONTHS SLOWEST: (FROM TOP, DOWN) NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL MAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER MARCH JANUARY JULY JUNE BUSIEST: AUGUST PLEASE SCHEDULE ALL MEDICAL FOLLOWUP APPOINTMENTS WITHIN THE SLOWEST MONTHS SLOWEST: (FROM TOP, DOWN) NOVEMBER DECEMBER FEBRUARY APRIL MAY SEPTEMBER OCTOBER MARCH JANUARY JULY JUNE BUSIEST: AUGUST Profit Analysis al Comp Dry Eye Glaucoma Corneal Abrasion Conjunctivitis Corneal FB Spectacles Contact lenses xam al Visit 0 0 0 0 0 0.5 0.5 Followup 0.50 0.50 0.17 0.17 0.25 0.00 0.50 Week 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.08 0.08 0.00 0.00 ow-up Week 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.25 ow-up Month 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 ow-up Month 0.00 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.08 0.00 0.00 ow-up l Time 0.25 0.25 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.25 red (hrs) ITABLI 1 1.25 025 0.25 0.49 0.5 1.5 TY ALYSIS ssional $843 $802 $157 $133 $250 $69 ees me From $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $181 $180 terials Revenue $843 $642 $627 $532 $507 $500 $166 Hour s Profit $843 $642 $627 $532 $507 $399 $132 Hour PROFIT $761 $560 $545 $451 $426 $317 $51 School Nurse Emergency Bag Inventory Small black nylon carrying case (could be imprinted with AOA logo) Laminated 2-sided Ocular Emergencies Flow Chart: What To Do (from our School Nurses Guide) (2) Coverlet eye occlusor (2) Johnson & Johnson small eye pad oval (1) tube GenTeal lubricant eye gel (1) eye patch (2) Alcon contact lens case (1) small pair scissors (1) box Allergan Refresh Celluvisc lubricant eye drops (1) box Alcon Systane lubricant eye drops (1) box Opti-Free Express No Rub Multi-Purpose disinfecting solution (1) box Alcon eye stream eye wash solution sterile (1) box Advanced Vision Research Liquid Gel Lubricant Eye Gel (1) roll tape list of contents and reorder form Suggested items to add: (1) Eye wash cup (1) Foldable Snellen chart Local O.D. referral list Student Vision Checklist/Report Form 13
Office of the Future Tom s Pearls 1. Call Optician into exam room. This where glasses are sold! 2. Hire high-quality Ophthalmic Technicians to assist in billing, coding, prompting, collaborating with, scribing, follow-ups, appointments, etc. 3. Go medical without giving up optical. Buy as much diagnostic equipment as possible. 4. Consult Vs referral.. Consult stickers. 5. Wear scrubs or white lab coat. 6. Five-day workweek 7. Never handle a piece of paper twice. This includes your Interpretation and Reports. 8. No, is not a bad word. Learn to use it. 9. Book First philosophy. 10. Take time off in the slowest months. 11. Never refer out what you can take care of yourself within the scope of your practice! Operational Doctrine Discussion Points: 1. Contacts lens will go over the counter and generic in the next few years. 2. Refractionists and wave front eye exams at Wal Mart will be legal within 10 years. This means all those that work for chains will be replaced by $15/hour technicians. There will be no need for OD s in a glasses market. If you haven t developed a medical practice by then, kiss your license goodbye. There will not be a place for them and too late to try and develop medical without the lost leader of routine exams that are available to us now.but not for long. 3. Rely on the Techs to help you record, remind, bill, and prompt you, etc., through an exam. 4. Most have done medical longer then us so listen to them! 5. Complete Interpretative reports before you move on to the next patient. 6. Ask techs if there is anything you forgot or left out.be open to prompting. 7. When patients complain about procedural and insurance hassles, remind them He who pays the bills, makes the rules. 8. Don t give sample drugs to patients. It harms the market. Only chronic conditions as Hypotensives get samples. 9. Never do more than a routine exam under an optical plan. If they have pathology, re-appoint them under their medical plan to do a medical work up. If treatment is warranted that day, i.e.: infection, foreign body, etc, switch the visit to medical and re-appoint for optical when possible, i.e.: VSP, Eyemed, ect. 10. You may keep any after hour emergency fee all of it. However, you must charge appropriate fees. A lot! 11. You will be required to follow Dr Tom around for up to a month to learn correct procedures. Correct procedures are any procedures that he is doing! We must all be doing patient care the same way. If not, it s confusing to the patients and the staff. Contacts: 1. We will only be fitting 2 to 3 brands of contacts. It cost $10 to order a trial lens. Therefore, only fit CL s that we have in inventory. Preferably a 1 month lens, so they get their whole year supply at one visit. Remember CL s are the lowest profit of all the things you do, therefore don t lower it more by adding visits and orders. 2. We do not allow Extended wear. Too much risk and it increases office visits with complaints. 3. We do not fit Bifocal contacts. It represents the lowest profit of all. 4. We do not fit toric Gas Perms 5. Avoid fitting anyone 38 years and older. 6. Try to fit 1 month lenses when possible. 2-week lenses only get an average of 3 boxes/ year. 7. Most important: While you are spending multiple visits with contacts, you are wasting visits that could be used for medical. Harvesting: You may be able to harvest one( or more) medical for every ten routine eye exams. Dry eyes, Diabetic, cataracts, glaucoma, etc. Glaucoma: Glaucoma will be a large part of our practice over the years to come. Always make sure that you initiate testing before you send them off to an OMD for cataracts or anything else. Some will treat them and keep them if you haven t initiated testing. Run all tests before you refer them out. Fields, photos, GDX, Pachometry, Gonioscopy, plugs, etc. Requires an interpretative report. Dry Eye: Never treat Dry Eyes if you can t detect SPK or solicit a complaint. 4+ SPK without a complaint can t be treated. 0+ can be if they complain of dry eyes. If dry eye is not severe, give the patient a bottle of tears and an educational brochure and schedule a return appointment no sooner than 11 days. Only do two plugs at a time. An additional two may be used with another complaint and another visit. Under some circumstances, dry eye can be treated the same day if the patient complains of pain and decreased vision and if the findings are substantial. Never use Silicone plugs. 1%-5% has to be surgically removed. Diabetics: Routinely require DFE, IOP s. If there are finding, and only if there are findings, run fields, photos, etc. Require yearly DFE s 40% have Glaucoma. We should do GDX screenings on all Diabetics. Foreign Body: FB s are almost always an emergency. There may be a fee for follow-ups. Send a copy of report to PCP if referred by MD or DO. Offer patient a choice of CL band-aid if they are driving home. Consider liability when patching a patient. Never use steroids on abrasions. Always use them for burns or Edema. Remember the most important thing of all: Have fun! Red Eye: Treatment does not include free antibiotics. Always write a script. Patients will always heal faster if steroids are used as long as there are no abrasions. Ophthalmology We will provide you with a list of OMD s you may refer to. Unless it is an emergency, do not send them to those not on the list. 14
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