Reducing unnecessary outpatient attendances

F. Donnellan; T. Hussain; A.R. Aftab; C. McGurk

doi:10.1108/09526861011050556

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International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance

ISSN: 0952-6862

Online from: 1988

Subject Area: Health Care Management/Healthcare

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Reducing unnecessary outpatient attendances

Document Information:
Title:	Reducing unnecessary outpatient attendances
Author(s):	F. Donnellan, (Department of Medicine, St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland), T. Hussain, (Department of Medicine, St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland), A.R. Aftab, (Department of Medicine, St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland), C. McGurk, (Department of Medicine, St Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, Ireland)
Citation:	F. Donnellan, T. Hussain, A.R. Aftab, C. McGurk, (2010) "Reducing unnecessary outpatient attendances", International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, Vol. 23 Iss: 5, pp.527 - 531
Keywords:	Attendance, Health services, Ireland, Outpatients, Process efficiency
Article type:	Case study
DOI:	10.1108/09526861011050556 (Permanent URL)
Publisher:	Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Abstract:	Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore unnecessary outpatient department attendances and to improve efficiency by actively pre-assessing patient charts and pre-specifying management plans before scheduled outpatient visits. Design/methodology/approach – All charts were reviewed by a senior clinician two weeks before the clinic and a brief, written management plan made. Findings – A significant reduction in clinic sizes by about 40 per cent can be expected. There was a non-significant increase in the ratio of new to review patients and no significant reduction in waiting lists. Research limitations/implications – Pre-assessing patient charts leads to cancelling unnecessary outpatient reviews, which can increase outpatient department effectiveness. Originality/value – Clinical efficiency is becoming increasingly important. This work describes a simple strategy to improve outpatient department productivity.