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BMC Health Services Research

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Open Access 01-12-2015 | Research article

Prevalence, predictors and economic consequences of no-shows

Authors: Parviz Kheirkhah, Qianmei Feng, Lauren M. Travis, Shahriar Tavakoli-Tabasi, Amir Sharafkhaneh

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2016

Abstract

Background

Patients not attending to clinic appointments (no-show) significantly affects delivery, cost of care and resource planning. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, predictors and economic consequences of patient no-shows.

Method

This is a retrospective cohort study using administrative databases for fiscal years 1997–2008. We searched administrative databases for no-show frequency and cost at a large medical center. In addition, we estimated no-show rates and costs in another 10 regional hospitals. We studied no-show rates in primary care and various subspecialty settings over a 12-year period, the monthly and seasonal trends of no-shows, the effects of implementing a reminder system and the economic effects of missed appointments.

Results

The mean no-show rate was 18.8 % (2.4 %) in 10 main clinics with highest occurring in subspecialist clinics. No-show rate in the women clinic was higher and the no-show rate in geriatric clinic was lower compared to general primary care clinic (PCP). The no-show rate remained at a high level despite its reduction by a centralized phone reminder (from 16.3 % down to 15.8 %). The average cost of no-show per patient was $196 in 2008.

Conclusions

Our data indicates that no-show imposed a major burden on this health care system. Further, implementation of a reminder system only modestly reduced the no-show rate.

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Title: Prevalence, predictors and economic consequences of no-shows
Authors: Parviz Kheirkhah
Qianmei Feng
Lauren M. Travis
Shahriar Tavakoli-Tabasi
Amir Sharafkhaneh
Publication date: 01-12-2015
Publisher: BioMed Central
Published in: BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2016
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-015-1243-z

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Prevalence, predictors and economic consequences of no-shows

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Background

Method

Results

Conclusions

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