The Effects of a Preassessment Clinic on Nonattendance Rates for Day-Case Colonoscopy

Background and Study Aims:Nonattendance for colonoscopy contributes to an increase in the waiting lists for this procedure. Preassessment clinics routinely run for a number of day-patient surgical procedures have been shown to reduce nonattendance rates by enhancing patient understanding. This study aimed to determine prospectively whether preassessing patients booked for colonoscopy would lead to a reduction in the nonattendance rate.

Patients and Methods: Nonattendance rates for colonoscopy were assessed in consecutive 9-month periods. During the first period all patients were mailed appointments for colonoscopy with dietary and purgative bowel preparation instructions. During the second period, patients who had never previously undergone a colonoscopic examination were invited to attend a preassessment clinic, while patients who had attended for colonoscopy in the past were sent appointments and purgative instructions in the post.

Results: 344 colonoscopies were booked in the first 9-month period and 350 in the second, of which 195 were preassessed. Overall, 60 patients did not attend for colonoscopy during the first 9-month period (17.4 %), and 40 (11.4 %; P < 0.05) did not attend during the second period of study. During the second 9 months only six (3.1 %) of the 195 preassessed patients did not attend for colonoscopy, in comparison with 34 (22 %; P < 0.0001) of the 155 patients not preassessed.

Conclusions: By running a limited preassessment clinic for patients due for colonoscopy, we have shown a significant reduction in the nonattendance rate. If all patients were to attend for preassessment, nonattendance rates for colonoscopy might be reduced to that seen in our preassessment group (3.1 %).

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