An Analysis between Patient Demographics and Non-attendances in General Surgery Clinics at an NHS Trust: An Audit

Abstract

Background: Missed clinic appointments can have bearing on a multitude of factors including patient care, hospital management and resources. Aim: To assess the non-attendance rates to surgical clinics within our trust. Secondary outcomes will be to assess the correlation between travel distances to clinic, time of year, patient demographics, and whether the appointment is a new patient or follow-up, on DNA rate.  Methods: Retrospective audit including all patients attending outpatient general surgical appointments at all 5 district general hospitals within the trust between the fiscal years of April 2016 to March 2018. Using case notes and electronic patient records, data on patient demographics, type of appointment, time of year and distance from hospital were collected.  Results and Conclusions: There is correlation between DNAs and age, gender, ethnicity, subspecialty, and distance from hospital. The reasons behind DNAs will be multifactorial and efforts should be made to investigate the barriers to attendance.