Over the past few years, the usage of mobile messaging in hospitals has seen a considerable rise, thereby positively contributing to a host of hospital related activities. One thing in general which has really benefitted hospitals is improved communication between the internal hospital staff members. This in turn has improved the overall efficiency of the hospital to a great extent. Communication being one of the most important aspect of hospitals, has shown a vast improvement through the proper use of text messaging.
Initially, there was some concern as to how the medium of mobile messaging can ensure patient security, but now hospitals have clearly understood the huge potential of messaging and hence are ready to go with it. This in turn has given positive results to hospitals, as the communication gap between patients and the staff members has lessened to a great amount. Patients are able to receive all the important messages pertaining to their health in an easy and secure manner, through the platform of mobile messaging.
Some of the key benefits which Hospitals can accrue through the use of text messaging:
1. Share key information about patient’s health status: Patient relevant information such as the amount of dosage, medical prescription or vital health based tips that will keep the patient informed and help take action as and when required.
2. Missed appointments can be reduced: Hospitals and clinics have to incur losses, if there is a steady increase in missed appointments. Through the text messaging medium, hospitals and clinics can send text alerts to the patient, prior to an appointment (being already fixed), thereby reducing or even bringing missed appointments to a halt.
3. Medical subscriptions can be renewed: A patient can be informed well in advance about renewing their medical subscription.
4. Communication flaws can be reduced: Through effective utilization of mobile messaging, internal staff members of a particular hospital can not only communicate properly, but will also be well-informed about the necessary alerts and reminders.
5. Medical emergency alert: If there is any sort of medical emergency, patients and doctors can be informed through SMS medical alerts, so that they are ready when the time comes to act upon.
6. Awareness about critical diseases: Hospitals can take the initiative of raising awareness among their groups/communities about a critical disease, through SMS platform.
As per the research hospital can save up to $1 million per year, if they use the text messaging medium in three critical areas and those are:
1. Patient admissions.
2. Effectively coordinating with emergency response teams and
3. Patient transfers.
As per a survey conducted, around 73% physicians communicate with their fellow physicians through text messages.
Following are some of the ways in which hospitals can use mobile messaging:
• Sending reminders and/or alerts.
• Cancelling appointments.
• Informing patients about overdue bills.
• Sending a notice to collect patient’s medical reports.
• Reminding about a necessary intake of a specific medicine.
• Setting up an appointment between a patient and a doctor.
• For internal communication such as employee shifts.
• Informing about any warning or incident that might take place.
• Prior notice to a patient about an appointment with a doctor.
• Substituting any medical equipment depending upon the particular situation.
