Blackrock Clinic - Eye Laser Treatment

Code Of Practice

Code of Practice
All Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeons attached to Blackrock Clinic are fully surgically accredited with the Royal College of Ophthalmologists and have vast experience in laser refractive surgery and corneal surgery.

Patients who elect to have refractive surgery will have their procedure performed by the surgeon who carried out the assessment and he/she will be responsible for their care throughout .

Patients should not proceed with any refractive surgery unless thay are fully aware of the risks and benefits of the procedure.

Standards for Laser Refractive Surgery

Surgeons carrying out refractive procedures

• Surgeons must be registered with the IMC
• Surgeons should preferably be on the Specialist Register e.g. hold a certificate of Higher Specialist Training or an equivalent qualification. Registering on the Specialist register is presently a voluntary act in Ireland and therefore any ophthalmologist who would be eligible for a Consultant's post in Ireland would also meet the criteria
• Surgeons need to have undergone appropriate training for refractive surgery after completing their specialist ophthalmology training. This may take the form of a fellowship with a recognised refractive surgeon or completing training courses in refractive surgery
• Surgeons performing refractive procedures must keep their knowledge and skills up to date and should regularly take part in educational activities. Surgeons where possible should belong to a relevant professional organisation which provides Continuing Professional Development and adheres to the principles of good medical practice, for example -The Royal College of Ophthalmologists or one of the Royal College of Surgeons in the United Kingdom or Ireland

Facilities

• There must be strict adherence to protocols provided by manufacturers of equipment for their maintenance and calibration
• There must be dated and documented procedures within the facility for the use of all clinical equipment. These must be reviewed annually

Information for Patients

• Information for patients should be written in concise, plain non-technical language
• Information for patients should include details about the operating surgeon's qualfications
• Information for patients should include a price list of procedures and should be explicit about what is and what is not included in the quoted fees. It should also give details about payments of deposits, their refund and any penalty which may be incurred by cancellation
• Written post-operative instructions should be given to patients to take home after the procedure/operation. They should include a contact number for the hospital/clinic and a 24 hour emergency number

The Consent Process

• The consent process should follow GMC and Department of Health Guidelines (good medical practice, May 2001) or the irish equivalent
• The information document must be given to the patient at least 24 hours before the procedure is undertaken. It is essential that time is allowed for the patient to take in the information and discuss the risks and benefits of the procedure before it is undertaken
• All patients should have an appointment with the surgeon who will be carrying out the procedure. This consultation should exclude unsuitable patients at an early stage
• No patient should have the procedure carried out sooner than 24 hours after the initial consultation with the surgeon
• The consent form must be signed in the presence of the surgeon, or other suitably qualified and trained professional
• The consent from must reference the information given to the patient and state
  • The elective nature of the procedure
  • That glasses or contact lenses may still be required after surgery
  • That pain or discomfort may occur
  • Any specific increased risks pertaining to the individual patient in question

Clinical Governance

• Surgeons must be personally responsible for patient care
• Surgeons must maintain an outpatient service, either at the clinic/hospital where refractive surgery is undertaken or elsewhere such that the practitioner can assess the patients appropriateness for refractive surgery and provide appropriate follow up care
• Surgeons must ensure their availability for emergencies or pre-arrange appropriate cover if on leave
• Incentives should not be offered to optometrists, dispensing opticians or other professionals in return for the referral of patients for refractive surgery
• Surgeons quality indicators from all types of refractive procedures undertaken must be reviewed at regular intervals as part of the hospital's/clinic's audit programme. Adverse variances should be reported to the Medical Advisory Committee or Irish equivalent

Advertising and Marketing

• All advertising must afhere to ASA standards the BMA guidelines for advertising and the GMC guidance on advertising. It must be legal, factual and not misleading
• Marketing materials must be drafted and designed to safeguard patients from unrealistic expectations of refractive surgery procedures
• Advertisements should not offer discounts linked to a deadline date for booking appointments or surgery or other date-linked incentives
• Promotional events such as open evenings should not include financial incentives for potential patients to book a consultation appointment at the event

Post-operative Evaluation

• The surgeon should either undertake or be available to evaluate the patient for the first post operative visit
• It is the responsibility of the surgeon to ensure that the post operative management is carried out appropriately
• Surgeons are expected to be fully trained and well versed in the management of the complications of refractive surgery

Mr. Michael Browne, Consultant Ophthalmologist, F.R.C.S. F.C. Ophth
Prof. Louis Collum, Consultant Ophthalmologist , F.R.C.S. F.R.C.S.I. F.R.C Ophth E.B.O.D.
Mr. Weng Lee, Consultant Ophthalmologist, M.B. B.Ch. B.A.O.(N.U.I) L.R.C.P.&S.I. F.R.C.S.Ed (Ophth)
Dr. Kathyrn McCreery, Consultant Ophthalmologist, M.B. B.A.O. B.Ch F.R.C.S.I. F.R.C. Ophth, M.R.C.P.I. B Cert.AM B.D. Ophth
Mr. Paul O'Brien, Consultant Ophthalmologist, M.B. B.ch B.A.O. F.R.C.S.I. M.R. C.Ophth M Med Sci
Mr. Billy Power, Consultant Ophthalmologist, M.C.h M.R.C.P.I. F.R.C.S. (Glasg) F.R.C. Ophth