The effect of a carve-out advanced access scheduling system on no-show rates.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

The relationship between advanced access scheduling and no-show rates in academic settings is unclear. The purpose of this analysis is to assess the effect of moving to a carve-out model of an advanced access scheduling system on no-show rates in an academic practice.

METHODS

A multivariable logistic regression with repeated measures analysis of patient visits was used to assess the relationship between the time to third-next available appointment and no-show rates.

RESULTS

The time to third-next available appointment was not a significant factor in appointment-keeping behavior. Rather, provider-patient continuity, wait time for an appointment, the number of previous appointments, and type of provider were strong predictors of a patient no-show.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of the concepts of advanced access scheduling does not directly result in a reduction in no-show rates; rather, provider-patient continuity, wait time to an appointment, and other factors may be a more important measure.