No‐show patients in an ophthalmological out‐patient department

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Abstract
Information on no‐show patients in an ophthalmological out‐patient department was collected and analyzed during one month in 1992 and compared to one month in 1993, after the introduction of a new policy of allocating fines to those patients who did not show for their appointments. In October 1992, 118 patients (6.4% out of 1837 scheduled appointments) and in 1993, 94 patients (5.5% out of 1710 appointments) did not show for the appointment. The strabismus unit showed the highest percentage of no‐show patients for both years (8.4% in 1992, 7.5% in 1993) and the low vision unit the lowest (4.6% in 1992, 4.1% in 1993). In 1992, Tuesday (8.9%), and in 1993 Monday (6.9%) were the weekdays with the highest percentages; the lowest was Wednesday (4.4% in 1992, 2.8% in 1993). By appointment type, consultations from other clinics had the highest percentage in both years (7.9% in 1992, 6.9% in 1993) while the lowest was visits to personnel other than a doctor (3.7% in both years). The age group 31–40 years had the most no‐show patients in both years (10.9% in 1992, 10.2% in 1993). The lowest percentage was in the age group 61–80 years (2.6–4.9% in 1992, 3.0–2.7% in 1993). To minimize broken appointments, it is important to inform the patient well about his disease and the significance of the examinations and follow‐up visits. As an economical result of the no‐show patients, a calculated income equivalent to the salary of about 3 persons in the nursing staff was lost.