Automated Messaging Can Save Time, Money and Improve Patient Care
There’s a saying that “Time is money,” and nowhere is this more evident than in the healthcare industry where late appointment cancellations and missed appointments are common. According to a recent study, missed appointments cost the U.S. healthcare system an unbelievable $150 billion.
How can that be? Let’s consider that each open, unused 60-minute time slot can cost a PT clinician an average of $150. With no-show rates running as high as 30% nationwide, that $150 billion figure almost seems conservative.
While missed appointments and late cancellations are costly and frustrating for physical therapy practice owners, patients also suffer. When a patient cancels or misses his or her appointment, that means that one patient is not receiving the medical treatment he or she needs, while another patient who needs treatment is unable to take that appointment slot and receive help.
What can be done to reduce cancellations and no shows?
Everyone knows that today’s world is more connected than ever. Technology has changed how we work, how we play, how we balance budgets and how we manage our lives. Utilizing technology to automate appointment reminders simply makes sense.
In the past decade, the single biggest change to business communications has been the growth of mobile phone use. That means businesses have had to change the way they reach their customers. 79% of Americans check their phones within fifteen minutes of waking up and most check their phones an average 150 times per day. Knowing that, it’s no surprise that businesses are concentrating on how to best reach clients on their mobiles.
This is why PtEverywhere’s Automated Messaging feature is so important to any clinic. Automated messaging has become one of the most effective methods for businesses to reach their customers and clients. A study at a family practice in Colorado showed that sending appointment reminders via text reduced the number of missed appointments by an impressive 40%. The same study revealed that nearly 100% of all text messages are opened within the first three minutes of being received.
Some patients may prefer to receive email reminders. Fortunately, PtEverywhere’s Automated Messaging feature offers something for everyone. The app offers patients the option to receive up to four different confirmations and four different reminders about their upcoming appointments:
– Push Notification
– SMS / Text
– In-App Notification
There’s no doubt that missed appointments and cancelations are bad for business and even worse for patients in a busy clinic. Nobody likes to waste time or lose money. Automated messaging can be a great addition to any clinic to remind patients of their healthcare appointments to save time, money and improve patient care. Try PtEverywhere’s Automated Messaging feature today.
