Patient mobile telephone 'text' reminder: a novel way to reduce non-attendance at the ENT out-patient clinic.
BACKGROUND
Non-attendance at out-patient clinics is a seemingly intractable problem, estimated to cost 65 pounds sterling (97 euros) per incident. This results in under-utilisation of resources and prolonged waiting lists. In an effort to reduce out-patient clinic non-attendance, our ENT department, in conjunction with the information and communication technology department, instigated the use of a mobile telephone short message service ('text') reminder, to be sent out to each patient three days prior to their out-patient clinic appointment.


OBJECTIVE
To audit non-attendance rates at ENT out-patient clinics following the introduction of a text reminder system.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Non-attendance at our institution's ENT out-patient clinics was audited, following introduction of a text message reminder system in August 2003. Rates of non-attendance were compared for the text message reminder group and a historical control group.


RESULTS
Before the introduction of the text message reminder system, the mean rate of non-attendance was 33.6 per cent. Following the introduction of the system, the mean rate of non-attendance reduced to 22 per cent.


CONCLUSIONS
Sending text message reminders is a simple and cost-effective way to improve non-attendance at ENT out-patient clinics.
Geraghty
M
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Adelaide and Meath and The National Children's Hospital, Tallaght, Dublin, Ireland. michaegeraghty@rcsi.ie
Glynn
F
F
Amin
M
M
Kinsella
J
J
D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D040421:Cell Phone / Q000191:economics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000191:economics; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012189:Retrospective Studies