TY - JOUR
T1 - Improving nonattendance at outpatient pediatric endoscopy unit of a tertiary center
AU - Kogan-Liberman, Debora
AU - Rivas, Yolanda
AU - Thompson, John
AU - Tomer, Gitit
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2015 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
PY - 2015
Y1 - 2015
N2 - Background and Objectives: Failure to attend pediatric outpatient endoscopic procedures leads to inefficient use of resources, longer wait-list times, and delay in diagnoses. The causes for pediatric endoscopy nonattendance are not well studied. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with failure to attend endoscopic procedures and to assess the value of quality improvement (QI) interventions implemented to improve pediatric endoscopy attendance. Methods: This was a continuous QI project. We collected nonattendance data from November 2011 to November 2013. Information collected included procedure type, age, sex, time on the waiting list, history of previous procedures, and reason for nonattendance. The following QI interventions were implemented sequentially: an appointment reminder letter, a telephone call 1 week before procedure, and creation of an electronic medical note dedicated to endoscopy appointment. Pareto charts and statistical process control charts were used for analysis. Results: From November 2011 to November 2013, we were able to decrease nonattendance from 17% to 11% (P=0.005). No-show rate was reduced from 5% to 0.9% (P=0.00001). There was no significant difference between attendees and nonattendees in relation to sex, age, or having a previous procedure. Longer waiting time (33 vs 26 days) was associated with increased risk for nonattendance (P=0.0007). The most common causes for nonattendance were illness (31.5%), followed by caregiver/patients who no longer wanted the procedure (17.7%), and patients who improved (12.9%). Conclusions: Applying QI methods and tools improved pediatric endoscopy attendance. Longer wait time for endoscopic procedures is associated with nonattendance. Given the increased pediatric endoscopy demand, strategies should be implemented to reduce wait time for pediatric endoscopy.
AB - Background and Objectives: Failure to attend pediatric outpatient endoscopic procedures leads to inefficient use of resources, longer wait-list times, and delay in diagnoses. The causes for pediatric endoscopy nonattendance are not well studied. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with failure to attend endoscopic procedures and to assess the value of quality improvement (QI) interventions implemented to improve pediatric endoscopy attendance. Methods: This was a continuous QI project. We collected nonattendance data from November 2011 to November 2013. Information collected included procedure type, age, sex, time on the waiting list, history of previous procedures, and reason for nonattendance. The following QI interventions were implemented sequentially: an appointment reminder letter, a telephone call 1 week before procedure, and creation of an electronic medical note dedicated to endoscopy appointment. Pareto charts and statistical process control charts were used for analysis. Results: From November 2011 to November 2013, we were able to decrease nonattendance from 17% to 11% (P=0.005). No-show rate was reduced from 5% to 0.9% (P=0.00001). There was no significant difference between attendees and nonattendees in relation to sex, age, or having a previous procedure. Longer waiting time (33 vs 26 days) was associated with increased risk for nonattendance (P=0.0007). The most common causes for nonattendance were illness (31.5%), followed by caregiver/patients who no longer wanted the procedure (17.7%), and patients who improved (12.9%). Conclusions: Applying QI methods and tools improved pediatric endoscopy attendance. Longer wait time for endoscopic procedures is associated with nonattendance. Given the increased pediatric endoscopy demand, strategies should be implemented to reduce wait time for pediatric endoscopy.
KW - Endoscopy unit
KW - Nonattendance
KW - Pediatric endoscopy
KW - Quality improvement
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U2 - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000791
DO - 10.1097/MPG.0000000000000791
M3 - Article
C2 - 25793903
AN - SCOPUS:84942587222
SN - 0277-2116
VL - 61
SP - 234
EP - 237
JO - Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
JF - Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
IS - 2
ER -