Cost-efficiency analysis of the Quixote® tele-ophthalmology programme at Hospital Universitario de Jerez.

BACKGROUND AND

OBJECTIVE

To calculate the cost per patient of ophthalmological care for patients referred from primary care under a telematic model (Quixote® project), compared with conventional face-to-face care at the Hospital Universitario de Jerez, within the Jerez, Sierra de Cádiz, and Northwest Coast Health Area (Spain).

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Comparative analysis of direct costs of telematic ophthalmological care versus the traditional face-to-face model, alongside a retrospective observational evaluation of efficiency after implementation of the Quixote® project. Outcomes included accessibility (mean waiting time in days for ophthalmological care, cumulative primary care waiting list) and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

The direct cost of complete care using the telematic model was ;22.47 per patient compared with ;32.5 per patient for the face-to-face model. Among 4288 patients evaluated in the Quixote® project at HUJ, 2659 patients (62%) required referral for face-to-face hospital assessment, while 1629 (37.9%) were discharged. The mean waiting time for patients referred from primary care decreased from 89 days to 39 days (-56.8%; 95%CI, 53.8%-58.5%; P < .0001). The cumulative waiting list decreased from 4606 to 1684 patients (-64%; 95%CI, 61.7%-66.3%; P < .0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of the Quixote® tele-ophthalmology program is a cost-efficient strategy for delivering ophthalmological care. It improves patient throughput from primary care, reduces waiting lists, optimizes hospital resources, and facilitates early detection of relevant diseases.