As much as you’d want your patients to show up, patients would also like to visit your facility to get timely treatment.
Sadly, the no-show rates range from 12% to 80% in different healthcare settings.
Often, people forget that they have a scheduled appointment, which leads to worrisome no-show rates.
But a simple reminder through SMS just a few hours before the scheduled appointment can help reduce patient no-shows.
Here are 5 patient appointment reminder SMS templates you can use for your practice.
Related:
• HIPAA compliant texting guide
• Healthcare SMS templates
• Patient outreach SMS templates
• Patient appointment scheduling SMS templates
Patient appointment reminder SMS templates with examples
Template #1:
Hi [Name], we wanted to remind you about your appointment at [Clinic/Hospital Name] on [Date], [Time]. Address- [Google Maps link]. Please arrive at the consultation area at least 15 minutes before the appointment.
Example:
Hi Jenny, we wanted to remind you about your appointment at Boston Dental on 16/11/2022 at 4:30 PM. Address – https://g.page/boston-dental-downtown?share. Please arrive at the consultation area at least 15 minutes before the appointment.
Template #2:
Dear [Name], this is a friendly reminder that you have an [Time] appointment today at [Clinic/Hospital Name]. Please carry your previous reports with you.
Example:
Dear Matt, this is a friendly reminder that you have a 4 o’clock appointment today at Sunshine Clinic. Please carry your previous reports with you.
Template #3:
Dear [Name], You’ve got an appointment today at [Time] at [Clinic/Hospital Name]. For queries, call us at [Your Number].
Example:
Dear Sally, You’ve got an appointment today at 3:30 PM at Baystate Health. For queries, call us at 999-999-9999.
Template #4:
Hello [Name], your appointment with [Physician’s name] is scheduled on [Date and Time]. Please go through the consultation checklist at [Link] and upload the documents if you have not already.
– [Hospital/Clinic name]
Example:
Hello Danny, your appointment with Dr Saroyan is scheduled for Friday 18th, at 2:20 PM. Please go through the consultation checklist at https://bit.ly/3Exgzh9 and upload the documents if you have not already. – Jefferson Healthcare
Template #5:
Hi [Name], This is a courtesy reminder for your appointment on [Date] at [Time]. For a change in schedule or concerns, please call [Phone Number]. – [Hospital/Clinic name]
Example:
Hi Liza, This is a courtesy reminder for your appointment on 16/11/2022 at 4:50 PM. For a change in schedule or concerns, please call 999-999-9999 – Atlanta Medical Center
Best practices for sending patient appointment reminder SMS
The laws require healthcare providers to be HIPAA compliant. That means the messaging and the software you use for sending the SMS should also be HIPAA compliant.
Let’s look at how you can make your text messages HIPAA-compliant.
- Ensure your patients have opted in to receive messages from you.
- Avoid excessive personalization in your message, such as revealing the condition.
- Do not send lab test results via SMS. You can send the report link, which can be downloaded via a secure patient portal, but sending the results directly via SMS is not appreciated.
- Don’t type in lengthy texts. Make sure you convey the important points well within the SMS character limits.
- Send the reminder text on the day of the appointment and a few hours before the scheduled appointment.
- Automate reminders. Of course, it’s impossible to send appointment reminder SMS manually. You can use tools like CRM to automatically send reminder texts.
However, ensure that the software you’re using to send those texts is HIPAA compliant. For instance, a physician or a nurse should not send text and inform patients or their relatives through their personal numbers. Even if the patient or their relatives insist on doing so.
HIPAA-compliant solutions for sending automated appointment reminder SMS
As mentioned, a healthcare CRM can help you send automated appointment reminders according to the triggers you create. For instance, a day before or an hour before the scheduled appointment.
Solutions like LeadSquared help you send appointment reminders via several channels like email, SMS, and WhatsApp, all while being HIPAA compliant. Your staff can also make a phone call through the LeadSquared CRM application and record the interaction.
If you’re looking for a solution to automate communications with your patients and build stronger relationships, check out LeadSquared’s HIPAA-compliant healthcare CRM built for progressive healthcare practitioners.
Book a free 1-1 consultation to explore its complete functionalities.
