Reducing unnecessary outpatient attendances

Abstract

PurposeThe 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/approachAll charts were reviewed by a senior clinician two weeks before the clinic and a brief, written management plan made.FindingsA 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/implicationsPre‐assessing patient charts leads to cancelling unnecessary outpatient reviews, which can increase outpatient department effectiveness.Originality/valueClinical efficiency is becoming increasingly important. This work describes a simple strategy to improve outpatient department productivity.