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Volume 2024, Issue 1
  • EISSN: 3008-0738

Abstract

Vision acuity screening and referrals are pivotal in the early detection and management of visual disturbances among school children. This quality improvement project aimed to evaluate the adherence of school nurses in governmental schools in Qatar to established vision acuity screening and referral standards and to enhance this adherence through a targeted intervention.

Utilizing a before-and-after study design, this clinical audit focused on students in grades 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 during the academic years 2021–2022 (baseline) and 2022–2023 (post-intervention). The methodology encompassed a baseline assessment, root cause analysis, intervention implementation, and a post-intervention assessment. Data extraction was performed from Qatar’s electronic health records (EHRs) system.

In the baseline assessment, 75.5% (95%CI 73.4–81.6) of 48,089 eligible students were screened, with 9.9% displaying abnormal visual acuity. Only 38.6% of those with abnormal visual acuity were referred. Post-intervention, screening compliance increased to 91.5% (95%CI 91.2–93.9, p < 0.001) among 48,946 students. Of those screened, 10.1% showed abnormal visual acuity, with referrals surging to 99.6% (p < 0.001). The appropriateness of referrals also improved significantly post-intervention (p < 0.001).

The intervention yielded a statistically significant improvement in the adherence of school nurses to vision acuity screening and referral standards in Qatar.

The study highlights the importance of targeted interventions in improving school nurses’ adherence to vision screening and referral protocols, emphasizing the need for regular training, policy support, and the use of EHRs to enhance the early detection and management of visual disturbances among students, contributing to better health and educational outcomes.

© 2024 The Author(s), Licensee HBKU Press.
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2024-08-27
2024-11-13
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/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.8
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Optimizing vision screening and referral of students: A pre-post analysis of a comprehensive multifaceted intervention for school nurses in Qatar
QJPH 2024, 8 (2024); https://doi.org/10.5339/qjph.2024.8
/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.8
/content/journals/10.5339/qjph.2024.8
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  • Article Type: Research Article
Keyword(s): nurses, Qatar, referral and consultation, schools, vision screening and visual acuity
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