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QI 1238 Reducing Barriers to Attendance at Long Covid Clinics
Abstract
Aim: To reduce the DNA rate in Long Covid clinics from 18% to 10% by May 2024.
Within the Long Covid service, DNAs have an adverse effect on the patient’s recovery as rehabilitation is based on supported self-management. Missed appointments are missed opportunities for correction of self-management techniques, development of skills and for further education, which can lead to embedding of detrimental techniques because the patient has not been reviewed; they also disrupt continuity of care.
Long Covid patients often present with ‘brain fog’, a subjective term used to describe forgetfulness and lack of concentration, alongside high levels of fatigue and mental health issues (NHS, 2023). Considerations to support patients with ‘brain fog’ and fatigue who were more likely to forget their appointment were needed.
Tools Used:
PDSA Cycles - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-pdsa-cycles-model-for-improvement.pdf;
Driver Diagram - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-driver-diagrams.pdf;
Sustainability tool - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-sustainability-model.pdf;
Process Mapping - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-conventional-process-mapping.pdf;
Cause and Effect (Fishbone Diagram) - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-cause-and-effect-fishbone.pdf;
SPC charts - https://aqua.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/qsir-statistical-process-control.pdf.
Project Impact: Since the introduction of telephone reminders in January 2024:
• The mean DNA rate has reduced from 18% to 6%. Now within the 10% target.
• The mean attendance rate has increased from 77% to 85%.
• The mean late cancellation rate has increased from 5% to only 9%.
A sustained process change has been implemented which allows more efficient use of clinician time.
Patients have fed back that they like the personal approach with easy, direct access to the team.
Citations
Altmetric:
Date
2024-06
Type
Internal Poster
Subject
COVID-19, Primary care
Collections
Citation
Davoile, Chloe; Hayward, Kate; Redhead, Chloe. QI 1238 Reducing Barriers to Attendance at Long Covid Clinics. Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust, 2024.
Journal / Source Title
DOI
PMID
Publisher
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust