Background: Non-attendance in clinics has major economic impact in the national health service. Literature review indicates that main reason for non-attendance is forgetfulness and reminders reduce the non-attendance rate (NAR). Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the NAR at the paediatric outpatient clinics after implementation of telephone reminders. Patients and Methods: NAR was reviewed for 6 months (February-July 2013) and compared with the NAR for similar duration in 2014 (before and after implementation of telephone reminders). Within 2014 data, comparison was also made for patients who confirmed attendance during telephone reminders versus those left a voice message and patients who were not contactable. Results: Total number of patients in 6 months were 4156 [2674 follow-up (F/U), 1482 New] in 2013 and 4732 [3100 F/U, 1632 New] in 2014. Overall NAR in 2014 was significantly lower (5.1%) than in 2013 (P = < 0.001)). The difference for follow up appointments was 6.9% (P = < 0.001), and 1.75% for new appointments (P = 0.147). Patients who confirmed attendance were more likely to attend their appointment (97.9%) compared with those left a voice message (91.4%) and those that were not contactable (82.1%). Conclusions: Our results validate that telephonic confirmation of clinic appointment plays a significant role in reducing the NAR in paediatric out-patient clinic setting.

Introduction The risks due to epilepsy are reduced by good seizure control and staying safe. Parents of children with epilepsy often have sleepless nights in view of their concerns about night time seizures. There are different devices including different types of alarms/monitors available, and choosing the appropriate device among them depends on the type of seizure. Aim The aim of our survey was to review the various types of devices used by parents to monitor seizures and their perception and usefulness regarding these devices. Method A survey was conducted by using a parent’s questionnaire in children with epilepsy. Results 19 parents of children with epilepsy participated in the survey. Among the surveyed, children age were grouped as: less than 1 year: 2 children; 15 yrs: 2 children; 5–10yrs: 7 children; and 10–15yrs old: 8 children. 58% (11) were male and 42% (8) were female. 73% (14/19) had more than one type of seizure, 84% (16/19) had difficulty to control epilepsy. 73% (14/19) had symptomatic epilepsy and 42% (8/19) had everyday seizure activity. 14/19 (73%) parents used some sort of device to monitor seizures. Amongst these 6/14 (42%) used baby monitor, 3/14 (21%) video baby monitor, 2/14 (14%) used proper epilepsy alarm and 1 each used CCTV(7%); CCTV + Epilepsy monitor (7%); and saturation monitor (7%) respectively. The 3 parents who had used a proper epilepsy alarm at some point didn’t find it useful due to false alarms. 2 parents sleep in the same room as the child and didn’t use any alarm. 78% (11/14) of parents using a device for monitoring seizures found it useful. Conclusion Our survey demonstrates that most parents of children with epilepsy find it useful to have some device especially baby monitor with or without video to monitor seizure. So we as Paediatricians need to initiate discussion about Epilepsy alarm/monitor with parents. This will help to reassure them, reduce their stress and also probably reduce status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract