Why Offering Anorectal Manometry In-House Improves Patient Retention and Continuity of Care

Patient retention is not just a business metric. In gastrointestinal and colorectal care, retention is directly tied to outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, and patient trust. One of the most overlooked factors influencing retention is whether clinics offer anorectal manometry (ARM) in-house or rely on outside referrals for this essential diagnostic test.

Clinics that provide ARM internally consistently see stronger continuity of care, faster diagnoses, and higher patient follow-through. Those that do not often experience patient drop-off, delayed treatment, and fragmented care.

The Retention Challenge with External Referrals

Anorectal disorders often carry a high emotional burden for patients. Conditions such as chronic constipation, fecal incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction can already make patients hesitant to seek care. When those same patients are referred to an outside facility for ARM testing, additional friction is introduced.

Common referral-related barriers include:

• Embarrassment or discomfort explaining symptoms to another provider

• Long wait times for testing appointments

• Confusion about scheduling and insurance coverage

• Travel inconvenience

• Loss of momentum once symptoms temporarily improve

In many cases, patients simply do not complete the referral. Others pursue care elsewhere, effectively removing them from the originating clinic’s care pathway.

ARM as a Tool for Continuity of Care

Anorectal manometry remains the gold standard for evaluating anorectal function. By offering ARM in-house, clinics maintain control of the diagnostic process and preserve the patient-provider relationship from evaluation through treatment.

In-house ARM allows clinicians to:

• Diagnose underlying causes of constipation, fecal incontinence, and pelvic floor dysfunction earlier

• Interpret results within the full clinical context of the patient’s history

• Transition immediately from diagnosis to treatment planning

• Avoid delays that stall or derail care

Patients benefit from a streamlined experience where testing, interpretation, and next steps happen within the same trusted environment.

Objective Data That Builds Confidence and Trust

ARM delivers objective, actionable data that supports more confident clinical decision-making. Pressure measurements, rectoanal coordination assessment, and sensory testing provide insight that cannot be obtained through symptoms alone.

This data helps clinicians:

• Confirm or rule out functional disorders

• Guide targeted therapies such as biofeedback

• Avoid unnecessary imaging or invasive testing

• Provide patients with clear explanations backed by measurable results

When patients understand their diagnosis and see a clear plan forward, trust increases. Trust leads to engagement, and engagement drives retention.

Faster Answers Lead to Better Outcomes

Delayed diagnosis often results in prolonged symptoms, repeated visits, and patient frustration. In-house ARM shortens the diagnostic timeline, allowing treatment to begin sooner.

Earlier intervention:

• Improves treatment effectiveness

• Reduces symptom chronicity

• Minimizes unnecessary medication trials

• Supports more efficient use of clinic resources

From a practice perspective, faster resolution of symptoms strengthens patient satisfaction and reinforces the clinic’s role as a comprehensive care provider.

A Competitive Advantage for Modern Clinics

Offering ARM internally differentiates clinics in an increasingly competitive healthcare landscape. Patients are actively seeking providers who can deliver complete care without unnecessary referrals.

Clinics with in-house ARM are positioned as:

• Specialists in anorectal and pelvic floor disorders

• Centers of excellence for functional GI diagnostics

• Practices that prioritize patient convenience and continuity

This not only improves retention but also encourages referrals from primary care and other specialists who value efficient, comprehensive diagnostic pathways.

Keeping Patients Where They Belong

At its core, patient retention is about keeping patients within the care environment where their history is known, their trust is established, and their outcomes can be optimized. Anorectal manometry plays a critical role in making that possible.

By offering ARM in-house, clinics reduce friction, strengthen relationships, and deliver a higher standard of care that benefits both patients and providers.

Call to Action

For more information on why anorectal manometry remains crucial for patient care and how in-house ARM can strengthen continuity and retention, contact Medspira today.

If your clinic is already offering ARM or preparing to do so, visit the Medspira shop to order catheters, accessories, and consumables designed to support reliable, high-quality testing:
https://shop.medspira.com/