Improving eye care in an intensive care unit

J Intensive Care Soc. 2024 Jan 27;25(3):346-349. doi: 10.1177/17511437241228587. eCollection 2024 Aug.

Abstract

In Intensive Care Units (ICUs), patients are at risk of developing ocular complications, especially exposure keratopathy. Plan, Do, Study, Act for PDSA cycle. Despite national guidelines, implementation remains challenging. Using the PDSA cycle, we devised an eye care protocol integrated into the electronic patient record system, complemented by a poster summary of guidelines. An initial audit showed 2% adherence to eye exposure guidelines; post-intervention, adherence rose to 76%. A 9-month analysis revealed 16% of patients experienced eye exposure in ICU. This initiative emphasises the new protocol's efficacy and the role of education in its adoption, advocating a more standardised approach to eye care in ICUs.

Keywords: Eye care protocol; audit and quality improvement; exposure keratopathy; eye care in ICU; ophthalmology in ICU.