The effect of reminder calls in reducing non-attendance rates at care of the elderly clinics

被引:33
作者
Dockery, F
Rajkumar, C
Chapman, C
Bulpitt, C
Nicholl, C
机构
[1] Hammersmith Hosp, Dept Med Elderly, London W12 0HS, England
[2] Addenbrookes Hosp, Dept Med Elderly, Cambridge CB2 2QQ, England
关键词
outpatient clinics; attendance rates; elderly patients; dementia;
D O I
10.1136/pmj.77.903.37
中图分类号
R5 [内科学];
学科分类号
1002 ; 100201 ;
摘要
Background-DNA ("did not attend") at outpatient clinics is an important problem costing the NHS an estimated pound 266 million annually. The national DNA rate for 1996-1997 for all clinics was 12%. The DNA rate at Hammersmith Hospital for the same year in the care of the elderly specialty was 21%. The aim of this study was to establish why this was so, and to test the efficacy of a reminder call in increasing attendance rates at care of the elderly clinics. Methods-23 DNAs from seven clinics were contacted to ascertain the reasons for non-attendance (group I). For seven further clinics, 84 patients were contacted in advance to reconfirm their appointment (group II). Results-From group II 12 patients were identified who were unaware of their appointment (14%), six of whom agreed to attend; thus six potential DNAs were prevented. Eleven vacant appointments were identified in advance. The unexpected DNA rate was reduced to 5% from a potential 21% as a result of this exercise. The DNA rate for all patients with dementia (both groups) was 44%, whereas the DNA rate for all patients without this diagnosis (both groups) was 16% (p < 0.001). Conclusions-A preclinic phone call reminder to elderly patients is feasible, increases attendance rates, and identifies vacant appointments. Patients with dementia are more likely to miss clinic appointments; therefore they and their carers need specific reminders about appointment dates.
引用
收藏
页码:37 / 39
页数:3
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