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

Danny Lam; Madelaine Moore; Michelle Cunich; Stewart Lake; I. Van Ho; Peter McCluskey; Tharmalingam Mahendrarajah

doi:10.1071/AH23263

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

Danny Lam, Madelaine Moore, Michelle Cunich, Stewart Lake, I. Van Ho, Peter McCluskey, Tharmalingam Mahendrarajah

College of Medicine and Public Health

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

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.

Original language	English
Article number	AH23263
Number of pages	7
Journal	Australian Health Review
Volume	49
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1071/AH23263
Publication status	Published - 2025

Keywords

eye surgery
fly in-fly out care model
health economic outcomes

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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.",

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AU - Ho, I. Van

AU - McCluskey, Peter

AU - Mahendrarajah, Tharmalingam

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N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

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

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