Retinopathy of Prematurity Program in Ilorin, Nigeria 2019-2021: Changes, Outcome and Perspectives on Missed Screening Appointments
Keywords:
Widefield Camera, Missed ROP Appointment, ROP ScreeningAbstract
Background: Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) screening services improved significantly in Nigeria between 2017 and 2020,1
nevertheless, ROP blindness continues to be reported;2 this has necessitated the need to continue to review possible factors that are responsible especially for missed ROP screening.3-6 The initial protocol (2007- August 2020) of the NICU in collaboration with the Ophthalmologist was that of NICU staff scheduling the babies for the ophthalmologist’s evaluation using indirect ophthalmoscopy. Unfortunately, this was inconsistently done,with attendant missed ROP screening. Factors contributing to this include non-adherence to unit protocol due to the transfer of some NICU staff or miscommunication during shift duty transfer notes, early discharges of some of the babies. In response to these challenges, the NICU and Ophthalmology teams adopted a different approach in 2020. A paid ROP coordinator was engaged. The coordinator worked 2 days a week and was charged with scheduling the babies and to make follow up telephone calls to remind caregivers on ROP screening appointments. This communication compares the prevalence of missed ROP screening by babies nursed at the NICU of a large tertiary hospital in Nigeria in the period 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 and discusses important perspectives which are adaptable to other similar settings.
References
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