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RESEARCH ARTICLE
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Comparison of a visiting subspecialist ophthalmology service to Royal Darwin Hospital with interstate transfers: costs and clinical outcomes of treatment

Danny Lam A B C , Madelaine Moore B , Michelle Cunich D E , Stewart Lake B F , I-Van Ho A B C , Peter McCluskey A B C * and Tharmalingam Mahendrarajah B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Save Sight Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.

B Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Darwin Hospital, NT, Australia.

C Sydney Eye Hospital, NSW, Australia.

D Cardiovascular Initiative, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

E Sydney Institute for Women, Children and their Families, Sydney Local Health District, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.

F Flinders Medical Centre, Flinders University, SA, Australia.

* Correspondence to: peter.mccluskey@sydney.edu.au

Australian Health Review https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23263
Submitted: 16 February 2024  Accepted: 17 September 2024  Published: 22 October 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of AHHA.

Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to compare the costs and clinical outcomes of treating patients with retinal diseases requiring surgery managed locally in Darwin through a visiting subspecialist ophthalmology service or transferred to interstate tertiary eye centres.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of a case series of 70 consecutive patients presenting to the Royal Darwin Hospital for vitreo-retinal surgery during the calendar years 2018 and 2019 was performed.

Results

Twenty-two of the 29 patients in the transfer group had a retinal detachment and five vitreous haemorrhage. The 41 patients managed in Darwin had a range of diagnoses. Surgical success, complications and costs were similar.

Conclusion

There were excellent clinical outcomes and a minimal insignificant difference in costs.

Keywords: eye surgery, fly in-fly out care model, health economic outcomes.

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