Date of Doctor of Nursing Practice Project Completion
2024
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of this quality improvement project was to implement a phone call reminder to decrease no-show rates in a primary care clinic and educate patients about the importance of attending appointments. The project intended to decrease no-show rates by at least 3% from a pre-intervention rate of 10.6% and achieve at least an 80% consensus rate on a post-survey regarding the value of keeping to the appointments.
BACKGROUND The project was implemented in a small primary care clinic in Southwest Houston, Texas.
METHODOLOGY
A standardized phone call script was developed to contact patients approximately two days before their appointment. Patients who attended their appointment were educated about the importance of follow-up visits. Patients were subsequently asked to partake in a voluntary survey that evaluated sentiments towards follow-up appointments. The Plan-Do-Study-Act model was utilized to execute changes to the project.
RESULTS
One hundred and forty-seven patients scheduled an appointment, and nine patients did not attend. This resulted in a no-show rate of 6.1%. 85% of patients who completed the survey agreed on the importance of follow-up appointments.
IMPLICATIONS Appointments not attended by the patient can result in a decrease in quality of care and health. Lack of education regarding the importance of follow-up visits can lead to an indifferent approach towards attending appointments. Primary care settings should consider the use of reminder systems to increase adherence to appointments to encourage positive health outcomes. Engagement of patients through education can lead to positive attitudes towards appointments.
Keywords
appointments, no-show, reminder
Recommended Citation
Jane Onwuegbuchu, "The Utilization of a Reminder System to Decrease No-Show Rates in Adult Patients at a Primary Care Clinic" (2024). Doctor of Nursing Practice Final Project Abstract. 140.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/dnp_abstract/140