eReferral and ophthalmology cataract central intake in Waterloo Wellington

Using eReferral and a centralized intake model leads to…

Quick Facts​

The central intake for ophthalmology cataract services triages referrals based on one of the following patient preferences:​

• Shortest wait time​
• Geography​
• Specialist ​

eReferral has been shown to support feasible, fast and safe patient referrals to ophthalmology services.^3​

eReferral enables integrated communication through the eReferral solution – improving referrers’ ability to track referral status and communicate with specialists​.

Empowering referring clinicians with information on wait times and surgeons (available through Ocean eReferral) will improve the eye care pathway for patients. The regional central intake model is built around patient choice and will help us utilize surgical resources more effectively

Chryssa McAlister, MD
Waterloo Regional Eye Program ​

1. Khan, A. A., Mustafa, M. Z., & Sanders, R. (2015). Improving patient access to prevent sight loss: ophthalmic electronic referrals and communication (Scotland). Public Health, 129(2), 117–123.
2. Mohammed, H. T., Payson, L. A., & Alarakhia, M. (2020). The impact of integrating electronic referral within a musculoskeletal model of care on wait time to receive orthopedic care in Ontario. Plos one, 15(11), e0241624.
3. Borooah, S., et al. (2013). Using electronic referral with digital imaging between primary and secondary ophthalmic services: a long term prospective analysis of regional service redesign. Eye, 27(3), 392-397.