Practice Sees Fewer No-Shows Using PCC Partner Automated Reminders

The clinicians at St. Louis Pediatric Practitioners are seeing a lot more patients these days, and they say implementing the automated appointment reminders in Partner 6.9 has made all the difference.

The two-physician practice in St. Louis, MO, is beta testing the new feature, which will roll out as part of the 6.9 general release on Aug. 7.

"We love it, and we're really busy," says Dr. Alison Nash, whose office set up the feature to automatically contact patients two days in advance of their well visits. "Once it's set up, you don't have to do anything else and it works like clockwork."

The practice's average no-show rate of between 25 and 30 percent has dropped dramatically since it incorporated the automated reminders several weeks ago, Dr. Nash says.

"Yesterday (July 30), we had about 65 patients scheduled for well visits and 61 showed up," Dr. Nash tells us. "Before the automated notifications, that number would have been in the 40s."

Implementation of automated reminders has also lifted a burden from front desk staff, who before had to squeeze in reminder calls between more important daily tasks.

As for the patients, says Dr. Nash, they also appreciate the phone, e-mail or text reminders. "We designed a form for patients asking if they received their reminders and whether they like the communication tool, and we've received an overwhelmingly positive response."

Adds Dr. Nash, "Appointments are being kept, patients are showing up and it makes a big difference. At the end of the day, it will be well worth spending what little it costs per call."

UPDATE: Partner version 6.9 was released to all PCC practices in August of 2012. This release includes the ability to activate automated appointment reminders through the Patient Notification Center. For more information, contact PCC at 800-722-7708.