What is the difference between a DNA (Did Not Attend) and a cancellation?

Cancellations can be initiated by either the patient or the hospital. DNAs are recorded when a patient fails to contact the hospital to cancel their appointment.

Patient-initiated cancellations will only be recorded as such if the appointment was canceled prior to the appointment time. A  DNA would be entered after the appointment time (usually at the end of the clinic). This would give the patient enough time to make contact with the hospital to cancel on the day of if needed. If no contact is made the outcome would be flagged as DNA.