Increasing Completion Rate of LTM EEGs in Pediatric Epilepsy

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

12-9-2024

Abstract

Rationale: Background: High rates of canceling or no-showing to appointments are problematic in healthcare. We discovered a high cancellation and no-show rate for scheduled long-term monitoring video electroencephalogram (LTM vEEG) appointments in our Pediatric Epilepsy Monitoring Unit (PEMU) at our Level 4 Epilepsy Center. We identified communication errors and social barriers as contributing factors.



Aim Statement: The aim of this quality improvement project is to improve the video EEG completion rate at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital PEMU from 70% to 80% in a 3 month period.


Methods: Methods: We collected baseline data for 3 months with no standardized scheduling process and outdated patient education materials. We then collected data for 3 months after updating these patient education materials and implementing a standardized process for scheduling, screening for social barriers to attendance, and confirming appointments. We defined completion rate as the patient arriving for their study.

Interventions: We created documents to provide patients and families updated information about the relevant procedure. We also developed and implemented standardized processes for scheduling and confirming appointments. This included steps to identify and address barriers to attending scheduled admissions.


Results: Results: The baseline completion rate was 70.5%, and 3 months after our intervention the completion rate increased to 79.9%. The patient cancellation rate decreased from 23.7% to 18.4%, and our no-show rate decreased from 5.8% to 1.7%. At 6 months post-intervention, there was a slight decrease in our completion rate and our no-show rate continued to decrease.

Conclusions: Conclusions: A standardized process for scheduling and reminding patients of appointments, along with updating patient education materials helped increase the percentage of completed studies and decrease the no-show rate in our PEMU.

Comments

American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, December 6-10, 2024, Los Angeles, CA

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