Patient engagement with interactive text message system improves successful colonoscopy rates in an outpatient endoscopy center

Introduction: Text message based interventions reduce colonoscopy no show rates and improved bowel preparation scores. In this non-randomized study, we assessed whether an interactive text messaging system could improve colonoscopy outcomes. Methods: Colonoscopy pre-procedural instructions were programmed into a dedicated software platform created for this study. In the intervention arm, text messages were sent to veterans during a 4-week study period. Validated pre-procedural satisfaction questionnaires were completed by patients during standard protocol and intervention periods. Demographics and colonoscopy outcomes data were compared between standard protocol and intervention arms, including procedure completion rate on scheduled date, Boston bowel preparation score (BPPS), adenoma detection rate (ADR), and satisfaction. Results: Of 241 patients, 128 were in the standard protocol arm and 113 in the intervention arm. Higher proportions receiving text messages underwent colonoscopy on their scheduled date (69.9%) compared to standard protocol (50.8%, p=0.015). Patients with ≥3 interactions with the system had 80.6% likelihood of completing colonoscopy on the scheduled date compared to 56.9% with
Source: Digestive Diseases - Category: Gastroenterology Source Type: research