Harnessing SMS in healthcare.
Keep your patients and staff informed about appointments, test results, and more — all with the simplicity of SMS.
FAQs.
How can SMS be used in the healthcare industry?
SMS can be used for appointment reminders, medication reminders, test result notifications, patient education, time-sensitive alerts, surveys, and general communication between healthcare providers and patients.
What are the benefits of using SMS in healthcare communications?
SMS is a direct and convenient communication channel that enables real-time interaction with patients, improves appointment attendance, enhances patient engagement and satisfaction, reduces missed appointments, and helps you get important healthcare information out to the people who need it.
How do you manage patient data security?
To ensure the privacy and security of our customers and their information, Sinch MessageMedia uses a layered approach including multifactor authentication, encryption at rest and in transit, and need-to-know and granular access controls. This ensures your patient data is protected and only accessible to those with a requirement to do so in delivery of their services.
Can SMS be used to send appointment reminders to patients?
Absolutely. SMS is an effective and cost-efficient way to remind patients of upcoming appointments, reducing no-show rates and improving overall scheduling efficiency. Read our guide to SMS appointment reminders.
How can I obtain patient consent for sending SMS messages?
You can add consent forms or checkboxes into the patient registration process, providing clear information about the purpose and frequency of SMS communication, and offering opt-in/opt-out options for patients to manage their preferences.
Can you give me information around anti-spam laws?
To avoid sending spam, you must:
- Have consent from the person receiving your messages.
- Identify yourself as the sender by including your name or business.
- Make it easy to unsubscribe – every commercial message must contain an unsubscribe option.
*This is general information only, not legal advice. You should obtain your own legal advice about anti-spam laws.
How do you get around the concerns of fraudulent SMS?
Personalization is key. You can use your company name to send from, and make sure your messages are as personalized as possible, by including the customer’s name, appointment details and so on. Also be sure not to ask for sensitive information via text message.
Is it possible to integrate SMS with existing healthcare systems?
Yes, you can integrate Sinch MessageMedia with the platform you’re already using. Our implementation team is there to help at every step of the way. Visit our Integrations Marketplace.
Can we use our own phone number?
You can, although this may have some limitations. Instead, we recommend choosing a new dedicated number that enables two-way messaging and other features.
Can I have two-way SMS?
Absolutely. By using a dedicated number, you can have two-way conversations with patients, directly from your Sinch MessageMedia inbox. Many of our integrations also support two-way messaging inside the connected ecosystem.