Reducing Patient Waiting Time for Cataract Surgery Through Improved Coordination Between Ward and Operation Theatre

Hospitals worldwide face persistent challenges in achieving effective coordination between clinical departments. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 50% of medical errors are associated with poor communication and coordination among healthcare teams. Studies from the United States indicate that up to 70% of healthcare professionals identify communication failures as a major contributor to adverse events, including wrong patient selection, incorrect medication use, miscommunication of clinical status, and inaccurate reporting of patient symptoms. Global surveys further suggest that only about one-third of healthcare professionals perceive interdepartmental coordination in their organizations as effective.

The delivery of hospital care involves complex workflows that require timely coordination between multiple units. Breakdowns in communication and process alignment can lead to delays, inefficiencies, and increased risk of errors, particularly in high-volume surgical settings. Despite its importance, achieving consistent coordination remains a challenge at global, national, and institutional levels.

In India, the healthcare system is undergoing rapid transformation with increased emphasis on quality, patient safety, and standardized care delivery. However, studies have shown that poor coordination among hospital departments remains common. Research published in Indian healthcare journals indicates that approximately 60% of healthcare professionals report communication gaps between departments, resulting in delays, fragmented care, and reduced patient satisfaction. Constraints such as limited resources, infrastructure challenges, and high patient volumes further complicate coordination, especially in tertiary and public healthcare settings.

"Delays in perioperative cataract surgery workflows are often attributed to communication gaps between ward and operating theatre teams, variability in staff and surgeon availability, patient comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension, and inadequate patient preparedness, as reported in national guidelines and peer-reviewed studies." (WHO; NPCBVI; AIOS; Indian Journal of Ophthalmology; NABH) Even with advancing technologies and equipment's there is a need to improve communication and streamline the processes for reducing patient waiting time and increasing patient satisfaction especially in high volume surgical institution. It becomes more relevant in case of not for profit hospitals working in rural and tribal area and having ratio of 70:30 of free and paying patient.

Tejas eye hospital is a charitable tertiary eye care hospital having yearly outpatient department (OPD) of more than 125000 and surgical operation of more than 13000. Tejas eye hospital also receives a good number of patients from underprivileged area on regular basis from its outreach program through diagnostic eye camps, vision centers, door to door screening and satellite center. The challenges are increased with visiting surgeons and other specialist. The arrival of the patients in pulsatile form, seasonal effects, relatively unaware clientage is likely to increase the possibility for communication gaps, clinical errors and protocol deviations.