Clinic nonattendance is associated with increased emergency department visits in adults with congenital heart disease

Objective: To determine the prevalence and predictors of nonattendance in an ACHD outpatient clinic, and to examine the relationship between nonattendance and emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, and death.
Methods: Patients ≥ 18 years who had scheduled appointments at an ACHD outpatient clinic between August 1, 2014 and December 31, 2014 were included. The primary outcome of interest was nonattendance of the first scheduled appointment of the study period, defined as “no-show” or “same-day cancellation.” Secondary outcomes of interest were ED visits, hospitalizations, and death until December 2017.
Results: Of 527 scheduled visits, 55 (10.4%) were nonattended. Demographic and socioeconomic characteristics such as race, income, and insurance type were associated with non-attendance (all P values < .05), whereas age, gender, and disease complexity were not. On multivariable analysis, predictors of nonattendance were black race (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 4.95; P < .001), other race (AOR 3.54; P = .003), and history of no-show in the past (AOR 4.95; P < .001). Compared to patients who attended clinic, patients with a nonattended visit had a threefold increased odds of multiple ED visits and a significantly lower rate of ED-free survival over time. There were no significant differences in hospitalizations or death by attendance.
Conclusion: ACHD clinic nonattendance is associated with race and prior history of no-show, and may serve as a marker of higher ED utilization for patients with ACHD.