Text Messaging Follow-up From ED



Status:Not yet recruiting
Healthy:No
Age Range:18 - Any
Updated:1/13/2019
Start Date:March 1, 2019
End Date:December 31, 2020
Contact:Brooks Obr, MD
Email:brooks-obr@uiowa.edu
Phone:319-353-6360

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The Role of Text Messaging in Follow-up Appointments for Patients Discharged From the Emergency Department

Ensuring follow-up for patients after discharge from the emergency department (ED) has long
been a concern for ED care providers. The current technology of text messaging may be able to
assist us in improving follow-up rates. In addition, having a quick and easy communication
tool to be in touch with providers may improve overall patient satisfaction. This study is
designed to evaluate the usage of text messaging to improve follow-up appointment compliance
from the Emergency Department. In this study, a prospective randomized controlled trial (RCT)
will be performed (involving patients scheduled by Emergency Department Nurse Navigators to
follow up with Family Medicine) in which patients will be randomized to a texting appointment
reminder versus standard-of-care (no texting reminder) group. Texted patients will receive
reminders 3 days and 1 day prior to their follow-up appointment. In addition, the patients
will have the ability to text back-and-forth with the Nurse Navigators in order to ask
questions/request clarification if needed. Chart review will be performed of both groups to
evaluate the number of follow-up appointments that patients attended versus rescheduled
versus did not attend/reschedule. These values will then be compared to the retrospective
chart review previously performed to evaluate for non-inferiority of text messaging as a
means of improving patient attendance at follow-up appointments.


Inclusion Criteria:

1. At least 18 years old

2. Able to read, write and communicate in English - English as the primary language

3. Has a phone with capabilities for text messaging

4. Identifies oneself as someone who is comfortable with text messaging.

5. To follow-up with Family Medicine as outpatient (Scheduled through Emergency
Department Nurse Navigators).

6. Evaluated in the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Emergency Department

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Absence of one or more inclusion criteria

2. Not able to provide informed consent or participate due to limited decision-making
ability.

3. Prisoner

4. Previously has followed with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics Family
Medicine (i.e., would not be a "new" patient establishing care).
We found this trial at
1
site
200 Hawkins Dr,
Iowa City, Iowa 52242
866-452-8507
Phone: 319-353-6360
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics—recognized as one of...
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Iowa City, IA
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