The shortage of health care workers has been a major issue for many years. Although the Centre universitaire d’ophthalmology (CUO) de Québec is very attractive to CHU de Québec staff, it is not immune to this issue. To improve access to care and increase the number of daily ophthalmology visits, CUO staff (orderlies, maintenance staff, sterilization staff, etc.) can now apply for these positions during hiring periods. Selected applicants receive approximately 10 days of theoretical and practical training. This training was developed by the nursing advisor and is delivered in collaboration with CUO practical nurses. After receiving this training, ophthalmology attendants can perform visual acuity tests and use the autorefractor and lensometer. An additional 10-day training course teaches them how to perform visual field testing. With new ophthalmology clerks conducting examinations, nurses and practical nurses have more time. After integrating ophthalmology clerks into the CUO team, a new processing method was introduced. When patients arrive, the ophthalmology clerk performs certain tests, and then the nurse takes over to assess them, administer medication and perform eye procedures. By working as a team and reorganizing our workflow, we are able to significantly increase the number of patients seen at the outpatient clinic. Ophthalmology clerks are highly valued by their colleagues and have become essential for the outpatient ophthalmology clinic to run smoothly.

Submitted by Catherine Poulin, Nursing Advisor, Ophthalmology

Other contributors: Caroline Lortie, Unit Head, Centre universitaire d’ophtalmologie (CUO), Sandra Demers, Practical Nurse, Project Trainer, Roxanne Chabot, New Ophthalmology Clerk, Isabelle Savard, New Ophthalmology Clerk, and Vanessa Lelièvre-Cyr, New Ophthalmology Clerk