Mater Appointment Reminders pilot underway

The Mater Appointment Reminder Service (MARS) pilot went live in early May for a three month period.

The pilot was approved by Mater’s Ambulatory Steering Committee after reviewing business needs and ambulatory data related to Failed to Attend (FTA) rates in specialist outpatient clinics.

Discussions with the SMS Working Group and Ambulatory Management Committee determined that the Gastroenterology and Ear, Nose and Throat clinics would be the first areas to pilot the service.

“These areas were chosen as they include Mater Adult Hospital and Mater Children’s Hospital, as well as the iPM and practiX programs to schedule appointments in these clinics,” Nursing Director for Outpatient and Ambulatory Services Jennifer Pitt said.

“The FTA rates in these clinics are currently: Adult ENT 21 per cent, Paediatric ENT 20 per cent and Gastro nine per cent, with an overall Mater Health Service wide rate of 12 per cent,” Ms Pitt said.

“Our target rate is seven per cent. It is anticipated that these SMS reminders will lead to a decrease in FTA rates in the relevant clinics.”

For further information on the project please contact Kelly Oosterhoudt on 07 3163 6629.