The Role of Text Messaging in Healthcare

Here are some reasons why SMS is so effective:

• The open rate for SMS is 97%, vs 22% for email. That’s a 75% difference!
•  90% of people open text messages within 3 minutes of receiving .
• The data demonstrates SMS is the best choice for sending reminders, messages and news about your clinic or hospital to patients. These types of campaigns add value to the relationship with patients, in addition to maintaining a connection between your facility and those who do not visit you very often.
• Communicating via text message keeps you in peoples’ minds. If someone needs a service that you provide, the chances that they will soon remember your establishment will be greater, since communication generates brand recognition, which contributes to boosting their business and increasing profits. Many of the same marketing techniques you would see in any other industry apply to healthcare as well.

• Patient text messaging can lead to significant cost savings for healthcare providers in various ways. Firstly, implementing text message communication reduces the need for paper-based communication or costly phone calls between providers and patients. By eliminating the expense of paper and reducing phone call charges, both parties can save money.

   

Associated Risks

In today’s fast-paced world, where texting has become the primary mode of communication, it is essential to consider the risks associated with healthcare text messaging. While it provides a hands-on way to communicate with patients and keep them informed, there are potential pitfalls that need to be carefully considered.

One of the critical aspects to be mindful of is the compliance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA is a federal law that sets national standards for safeguarding sensitive patient health information. Adhering to HIPAA requirements, such as access controls, data encryption, and other safeguards, is crucial to protect patient messages containing confidential medical information from being tampered with or deleted by unauthorized individuals.

It is also important to consider the potential legal issues that may arise from healthcare text messaging. Messages containing patient health information may be subject to legal requirements and regulations, including those established by HIPAA. Furthermore, text messages may not provide a clear record of patient communication, which can create complications in legal proceedings or disputes.

Ways SMS is Utilized:

Communicate with customers

Bulk text marketing can be used to contact patients, including consultations and inquiries. Healthcare organizations can send text messages that provide services provided by the organization, its activities and the healthcare arena. This type of introductory message is useful for marketing and promotion of your brand. These messages may contain keywords that patients can use to send and receive text messages. By receiving this keyword, you can provide more information about the services that you are offering.

Book the appointments

SMS is a fast and easy way to book an appointment. Instead of booking over the phone, customers can just simply text. This is much easier and more convenient than calling for most people.

Upon receiving this keyword, the software used for bulk text messaging can track dates and times and schedule appointments. A confirmation SMS can be sent immediately to the patient confirming the appointment. You can ask for Yes or No confirmation to confirm or cancel your reservation.

Reminders and Notifications

The healthcare industry needs to send reminders on a regular basis so that patients can book on time without any delay. When an appointment is missed, both the facility and the patient are disappointed. Using messaging service for business for reminders is a great way to ensure your clients are up to date with their appointments.

Patient Information

 Health-related information can also be sent to the patient via SMS. This may include:

SMS is used to send the information about the health and health issues on registered In addition to patient diagnosis, test reports and test reports can be sent via SMS. Prescriptions can be sent via SMS, so patients can use them to buy medicines anywhere.

SMS is also used for send the diet plan to the patient. Health-related advice such as measures to boost immunity, preventive health measures, and diet. You can also send it via SMS. 

All important information about the medicine recall or medical product  recall can be sent via SMS so that the patient can be reached immediately.

Feedback

Customer feedback is essential in any business, this is even more important in healthcare facilities. 

• You can send an SMS to the feedback request and the patient can reply with a Yes or No or send a rating in the form of a number.

• A website link to the detailed feedback form can be sent via SMS.

Conclusion

Texting is the primary form of communication in today’s society. Emails get buried in an inbox, and calls from unknown numbers do not get answered. Using best texting app for business is a hands-on way to communicate with customers and keep them up to date with what is going on.