Cheaper Can Be Better: Cutting Costs and Improving Low Vision Aid Service

The traditional Low Vision Aid service using Hospital Eye Service Prescription forms is expensive and often associated with poor patient satisfaction as found in the studies by Mcllwaine, Bell and Dutton (1991) and by Humphrey and Thompson (1986). We audited this service in a district general hospital. Subsequently a more integrated "In House" Low Vision Aid clinic was established. The new service was re-audited to compare costs and also to look at patient satisfaction.

The first audit composed a retrospective analysis of over two years of Hospital Eye Service Prescription forms (495 forms) which were traced through the optometrists/opticians and the Health Authority's finance department. In the second audit a retrospective analysis, of the records of 102 patients and a telephone survey were undertaken. In the first audit the average cost per patient receiving Low Vision Aids was £107.43; in the second this figure was £47.83 suggesting the integrated Low Vision Aid clinic is more cost-effective. We also obtained a patient satisfaction rate of 76%.