Keeping Scheduled Visits and Appointment Times

Our patients depend on us not only for skilled clinical care but also for reliability and professionalism. One of the most important ways we demonstrate that professionalism is by honoring the appointment days and times we commit to.

 When a visit is scheduled, patients often make significant accommodations to be available. They may take time off from work, arrange childcare, or adjust personal/family schedules. For many, these visits are not simply another appointment—they require planning and preparation. Frequent changes to scheduled visits or arriving significantly later than expected can create unnecessary stress and negatively impact the patient experience. 

While occasional schedule adjustments are understandable, rescheduling visits should be the exception, not the rule. Whenever possible, please keep the original day and time that was agreed upon with the patient.

Likewise, punctuality is an important component of professional nursing practice. Standard practice for scheduling visit times is to provide a 30 minute - 1 hour window to allow for unexpected delays. If you know you will be running behind, notify the patient as soon as possible. Keeping patients informed of delays demonstrates respect for their time and helps maintain trust. Whenever feasible, provide an updated estimated arrival time and continue to communicate if circumstances change. Again, being late or changing dates/times should be an exception, not a pattern. If you find that you are frequently unable to arrive on time, please reassess your scheduling practices and time management to ensure your schedule is realistic and allows you to meet your commitments.

Attendance is equally important. call-outs should be minimized whenever possible, as they often result in last-minute scheduling challenges and can delay patient care. While illness and emergencies do occur, reliable attendance is essential to providing consistent, high-quality service to our patients.

Finally, no-call, no-show visits are never acceptable. If an unforeseen circumstance prevents you from completing a scheduled visit, timely communication with both the patient and the office is expected so appropriate arrangements can be made without compromising patient care.

Professionalism extends far beyond clinical skills. Being dependable, punctual, communicating proactively, and respecting our patients' time are all essential components of the exceptional care we strive to provide.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our/your patients and for helping us maintain the high standard of service they deserve. 

Sincerely,

Shari RN-C, BSN

Director of Nursing