New Study Highlights Patient Willingness to Adhere to Pre-Op Prep
Bruder Healthcare announced new research that supports cataract surgeons and comanaging optometrists and ophthalmologists as they help patients prepare for surgery. This noninterventional, cross-sectional investigation of 278 US adults age 65 and older sought to identify cataract surgery candidates’ knowledge, beliefs, desires and emotions, as well as their behavioral intent to adhere to their doctors’ pre-surgical recommendations.[1]
“This was a mixed methods study,” study author Amy Hellem, MLA, of Chapman University, said in a Bruder news release. “Two key variables of interest—fear and uncertainty—were measured both quantitatively and qualitatively, providing specific insights into how patients feel so that we could extrapolate best practices for mitigating these undesirable emotions.”
Specifically, the report, which was recently published in Clinical Ophthalmology, found that fear is the predominant emotion in one out of every three study participants. Importantly, there is also a notable correlation (r=.44) between fear and intention to delay having surgery for as long as possible. “This is potentially troublesome and is reflected with a trend we often experience in practice,” said co-author Paul Karpecki, OD, FAAO. “When we tell patients that they are developing cataracts, they silently worry and react by putting off future visits until their vision becomes unmanageable.”
In the report, the authors recommend prescribing a pre-surgical prep-kit as a way to combat fear and uncertainty while giving the patient greater agency and autonomy, in effect preparing them both emotionally and physically at a time when they might otherwise avoid proper care and delay surgery.
“By recommending a pre-surgical prep-kit when we talk to patients about their cataracts, we give them an opportunity to take part in their own wellbeing with the aim of reducing fear as well as delays in necessary eye care services,” says Dr. Karpecki. “It’s almost like a cooling off period and it works wonders on patients’ confidence as they go into the surgical center, where things tend to unfold very quickly.”
As the study highlights, use of a moist heat eye compress, lid wipes, and hypochlorous acid solution have been shown to improve ocular surface health and limit bacteria in the weeks leading up to surgery, according to Bruder. Furthermore, 87% of participants in the study say they would use a presurgical prep kit if their doctor gave them one and 83% said they would use a pre-surgical prep kit if they were asked to buy one.
The Bruder Pre-Surgical Prep Kit includes:
Bruder Hygienic Eyelid Cleansing Wipes. These pre-moistened, exfoliating wipes contain a mild surfactant designed to remove build up, oil, dirt, pollen and desquamated skin that may cause eye irritation and infection.
Bruder Hygienic Eyelid Solution (0.02% Pure Hypochlorous acid) Naturally-occurring hypochlorous acid (HOCl) has shown high efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms. Applying one to two sprays of the solution daily to closed eyes helps fight infection, reduce inflammation and bacteria, and enhance natural ability to heal.
The Bruder Sx Pre-Surgical Compress. This enhanced pre-surgical compress is designed specifically for the unique needs of the pre-surgical patient using EyeOnicTM fabric woven with antimicrobial silver threads. Like the original Bruder Moist Heat Compress, the Sx mask is filled with self-hydrating, silver-infused, patented antibacterial MediBeads® to unclog meibomian glands and stabilize the tear film to improve pre-surgical measurements. Patients microwave the mask for 20 seconds then apply for 8-10 minutes.
Bruder Sx Case. All of the essential items that pre-op patients need are neatly housed in an attractive, yet practical case that’s large enough for doctors to customize by adding complimentary products, prescriptions or patient education paperwork.
The Bruder Sx Pre-Surgical Patient Prep Kit is now available for in-office distribution or patient purchase by referral online.