Consolidated, multidisciplinary care for children with cleft palates and craniofacial conditions is ideal, but no-shows and same-day-cancellations hinder such clinics.
Solution
Additional appointment reminders were ineffective, so we have initiated discussions with our hospital system and electronic medical record provider to implement a predictive risk model for patient non-attendance.
What I/we did that is new
Our innovative approach focuses on evaluating factors related to clinic non-attendance and engaging stakeholders in designing interventions aimed at increasing patient attendance and clinic utilization.
Cooper DC, Peterson EC, Grellner CG, Naidoo SD, Skolnick GB, Pfeifauf KD, Smyth MD, Snyder-Warwick AK, Patel KB. Cleft and craniofacial multidisciplinary team clinic: a look at attrition rates for patients with complete cleft lip and palate and nonsyndromic single-suture craniosynostosis. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. 2019;56(10):1287-1294.
2.
RobothamDSatkunanathanSReynoldsJStahlDWykesT. Using digital notifications to improve attendance in clinic: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2016;6(10):e012116.
3.
GeerBPorterRMHaemerMKrajicekMJ. Increasing patient attendance in a pediatric obesity clinic: a quality improvement project. J Pediatr Nurs. 2014;29(6):528-535.
4.
Paget SP, McIntyre S, Goldsmith S, Ostojic K, Shrapnel J, Schneuer F, Waugh MC, Kyriagis M, Nassar N. Non-attendance at outpatient clinic appointments by children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2022;64(9):1106-1113.
5.
PalleikoBALynnJVAchkarAHHart-JohnsonTPerryMABlackwoodRA. Sociodemographic factors associated with adherence to referrals from the pediatric emergency department. J Emerg Med. 2020;58(4):594-602.
