Seva Foundation

This is a randomized control trial comparing the effects of subconjunctival triamcinolone administration during surgery to topical prednisolone drops on the development of post-operative inflammation and macular edema in manual small incision cataract surgery.

An effective referral system helps to ensure a close relationship between all levels of the health system and ensures clients receive optimum care at the appropriate level and at affordable cost, and hospital facilities are used optimally and cost-effectively. A referral system requires consideration of all its important components that can be then adjusted to the local situation. Being a system, the important components of a referral system are Health system issues (Service providers, Referral protocols, Communication & transportation provide), Referring facility& Referral practicalities (Client & their condition, Protocols of care, Care provider & documents, Referral decision, Outward referral form, Communicate with referral facility, Client information, Referral register), Referral facility& Referral practicalities (Client with referral form, Treat the client with the document, Rehabilitation plan, Back referral form, Feedback to referring facility, Referral register) and Supervision and capacity building (Referral monitoring, Ensure back referral, Feedback and training to facility staff and Feedback to central level) ((USAID), 2012).
There are mainly two limitations on referring Diabetic Retinopathy patients. Patient-related reasons: lack of awareness, belief, cost, distance from screening/ treatment centers, discomfort from dilating drops, efforts to attend yet another center, fear of laser treatment, fear of its impact on quality of life and jobs, lack of family support and guilt surrounding the failure to control blood sugar. Provider-related reasons are poor counseling and advisory services about ocular complications for patients with diabetes, inefficient call and recall system, long waiting times for screening or treatment, and complicated referral mechanism.
Lumbini eye institute is a comprehensive tertiary eye care center in western Nepal. In spite of 19 peripheral referral centers under it, there is a poor inflow of Diabetic retinopathy patients as against the estimated disease burden in the catchment area. The objective of our study is to improve timely referral flow from referring centers and compliance with referral cases after the intervention. In order to meet our objective, the investigators tend to implement patient counseling at referral centers, a referral tracking system, and a fast-track mechanism for patients at base hospitals.

Reiyukai Eiko Masunaga Eye Hospital (REMEH) is a non-profitable organization. Retina services were resumed from October 2019. Until this retinal service started, it has been mostly cataract-focused. People are unaware of this new retinal service in the hospital. The investigators would like to fill this gap and our objective is to increase the attendance of patients with Diabetes Mellitus, for retinal screening at REMEH by providing health education intervention to selected physicians and establish a referral pathway.
Study Design: pre- post-intervention Methods: The investigators are going to conduct intervention by providing health education on diabetes Retinopathy to the health personnel of Scheer Memorial Hospital. It has been referring eye patients to REMEH as there is no eye department there.
Data Management: The demographic information of health personnel of Sheer memorial and demographic information and other variables of the patient who are referred from Scheer Hospital will be collected and entered in an excel sheet.
The study period of approximately 16 months (March 2020 to Sep 2021): Initial 10 months for proposal writing, preparation, and getting ethical approval. Feb2021 - April 2021 three months for pretest intervention May- July further data collection and last two months Aug- Sep Analysis and writing result.
Results: The proposed outcome is to increase the proportional change in the number of patients availing retinal services and to find out a proportional increase in the number of diabetes screenings from the baseline. Also, a positive outcome is a clear indication for health education, and setting communication between general physicians and specialties will set the path for improvement in a timely health care delivery system.