Non-Attendance at Pauls Stradins Clinical University Hospital and Associated Losses

Description

Non-attendance in healthcare results in longer waiting times for other patients, inflicts financial damage to healthcare providers and indirectly causes losses to the healthcare systems budget. The aim of this study is to prove that a strict record keeping of non-attendance and enforcement of preventative measures is necessary at an institutional or national level. . Based on a mixed method approach the study uses literature data about non-attendance in healthcare, about methods that could be used to reduce the rate of no-show appointmentsnon-attendance data from VSIA “Paula Stradiņa klīniskā universitātes slimnīca” outpatient service centre (record N= 160 875; 2017-2019)calculates the losses associated with no-show appointments based on patients’ co-payment amount and doctors’ hourly salary data.….data on the expenses associated with introduction of no-show appointment preventative methods to calculate opportunity costs for different scenariossocieties and expert opinion about different no-show preventative methods and strategies.. In the period from 2017 till the end of 2019 16% of patients did not show up for an appointment with a doctor. This has resulted in losses of 805 864,66 euro for the hospital in 3year time. Oportunity costs that are asociated with introduction of automated fine systema and information system would constitute 635 912,66 euro and 80 586,46 euro respectivley. When asked about preventative measures patients do admit fines are an effective way to reduce no-show rates. Industry leaders on the other hand are more careful with imposing fines and would prefer reminder strategies.. The calculated financial losses and their opportunity costs indicate a need to introduce non-attendance reduction measures. One of the most successful strategies – financially fining patients – is deeply looked at in this study and there is evidence from patients and industry leaders that it could potentially reduce losses and non-attendance rates.

Period	29 Mar 2023
Event title	RSU Research week 2023: Society. Health. Welfare
Event type	Conference
Conference number	9
Organiser	Rīga Stradiņš University
Location	Riga, LatviaShow on map
Degree of Recognition	International