Impact of Pre-Procedure Interventions on No-Show Rate in Pediatric Endoscopy

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Gastroenterology
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Endoscopic Procedures

Background:

• Pediatric endoscopy is crucial for diagnosing and managing pediatric gastrointestinal diseases.
• Limited research exists on quality improvement (QI) initiatives within pediatric endoscopy units.
• High no-show rates can disrupt patient care and resource allocation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To decrease the no-show rate in a pediatric endoscopy unit.
• To enhance patient and family satisfaction with endoscopic procedures.
• To identify and address barriers to compliance in pediatric endoscopy scheduling.

Main Methods:

• Development of a checklist to identify potential causes of no-shows.
• Risk assessment by an endoscopy nurse coordinator during scheduling.
• Implementation of targeted interventions for high-risk patients.
• Pre-procedure phone calls for reminders and risk mitigation.
• Utilizing patient satisfaction surveys to pinpoint areas for improvement.

Main Results:

• The no-show rate decreased significantly from 7% to 2% post-intervention (p = 0.009).
• Patient and family satisfaction scores were high, with 91% rating overall satisfaction as 4 or 5 (on a 1-5 scale).

Conclusions:

• Targeted quality improvement strategies effectively reduce no-show rates in pediatric endoscopy.
• Patient satisfaction surveys are valuable tools for identifying areas needing enhancement in endoscopic care.
• Proactive risk identification and intervention improve procedural compliance and patient experience.