Faculty Collaboration Database

Lost in Follow-Up: Predictors of Patient No-Shows to Clinic Follow-Up After Abdominal Injury. J Surg Res 2022 Jul;275:10-15

Date

02/27/2022

Pubmed ID

35219246

DOI

10.1016/j.jss.2021.12.021

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85126124259 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   1 Citation

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to evaluate risk factors for non-attendance to post-discharge, hospital follow-up appointments for traumatically injured patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy.

METHODS: This is a retrospective chart review of patients who underwent exploratory laparotomy for traumatic abdominal injury at an urban, Midwestern, level I trauma center with clinic follow-up scheduled after discharge. Clinically, relevant demographic characteristics, patients' distance from hospital, and the presence of staples, sutures, and drains requiring removal were collected. Descriptive statistics of categorical variables were calculated as totals and percentages and compared with a chi-squared test or Fisher's exact when appropriate.

RESULTS: The sample included 183 patients who were largely assaultive trauma survivors (68%), male (80%), and black (53%) with a mean age of 35.4 ± 14.9 years. Overall, 18.5% no-showed for their follow-up appointment. On multivariate analysis for clinic no-show; length of stay (odds ratio = 0.92 [0.84-0.99], P = 0.04) and the need for suture, staple, or drain removal were protective for clinic attendance (odds ratio = 5.59 [1.07-7.01], P = 0.04). Overall, 12 patients (6.4%) were readmitted. Forty patients (18.3%) had their follow-up in the emergency department (ED). On multivariate regression of risk factors for ED visits, the only statistically significant factors (P < 0.05) were clinic appointment no-show (OR = 2.81) and self-pay insurance (OR = 4.78).

CONCLUSIONS: Abdominal trauma patients are at high risk of no-show for follow-up appointments and no-show visits are associated with ED visits. Future work is needed evaluating interventions to improve follow-up.

Author List

Hope Wilkinson K, Brandolino A, McCormick A, Deshpande D, Bergner C, Carver T, de Moya M, Milia D

Authors

Carisa Bergner Biostatistician II in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Amber Brandolino in the CTSI department at Medical College of Wisconsin - CTSI
Thomas W. Carver MD Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
Marc Anthony De Moya MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
David J. Milia MD Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Abdominal Injuries
Adult
Aftercare
Emergency Service, Hospital
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
No-Show Patients
Patient Discharge
Retrospective Studies
Young Adult