Saolta Healthcare Group Embraces Interactive SMS Reminders to Tackle Appointment Backlog

In a significant step forward in patient engagement and operational efficiency, the Saolta Healthcare Group has gone live with a cutting-edge two-way interactive SMS appointment reminder system to tackle the appointment backlog. This initiative, implemented with support from Savience, aims to address the Group’s waiting list backlog while using best practices to reduce the rate of patients who do not attend (DNA) their scheduled appointments.

The innovative system allows patients to interact directly with their healthcare providers through SMS, offering them a convenient way to confirm, cancel, or reschedule appointments. This proactive communication strategy is designed to enhance patient engagement, streamline scheduling, and ultimately reduce the number of missed appointments.

Tackling the Appointment Backlog

With healthcare services strained due to growing waiting lists, the interactive SMS reminders offer a scalable and efficient solution. By reminding patients of their upcoming appointments and allowing them to easily confirm or reschedule, the Saolta Healthcare Group can manage its waiting lists more effectively. Patients who cannot attend their appointments can swiftly inform the hospital, enabling staff to offer the newly available slots to others in need, thus reducing delays and optimizing resource use.

Reducing Do Not Attend Rates by Digitalising Healthcare

Missed appointments can significantly impact healthcare efficiency, leading to wasted resources and increased waiting times. The two-way SMS reminder system is designed using best practices in healthcare communication to minimise these occurrences. It sends automated reminders well in advance, prompting patients to respond promptly.

This proactive approach empowers patients with control over their schedules while providing the healthcare group with timely insights into likely attendance, allowing them to take appropriate action to fill gaps and reduce Do Not Attend rates.

Next Phase: Leveraging Short Notice Availability

Looking ahead, the next phase of the project will see tailored patient communications specifically designed to leverage short notice clinic availability and improve waiting list management. By utilizing targeted messages to notify patients about newly available appointment slots, the system will further enhance resource optimization and reduce waiting times.

Carrie Fletcher, project delivery lead for Saolta, expressed enthusiasm about the initiative: “We are excited to see the positive impact of this technology on our waiting lists and DNA rates. The interactive SMS system empowers patients with more control over their appointments, and we believe this next phase of utilizing short notice availability will further improve our efficiency.”

Roger Everitt, Managing Director of Savience, echoed this optimism: “We are proud to support Saolta in their efforts to improve patient flow and experience. By implementing interactive SMS reminders, they are not only tackling their waiting list backlog but also setting a new standard for patient communication in healthcare. This collaboration is a testament to how technology can truly transform patient engagement and healthcare efficiency.”

Embracing Digital Transformation with Savience

By embracing digital transformation through this interactive SMS reminder system, the Saolta Healthcare Group and Savience are working to enhance patient flow and experience while optimising healthcare resource allocation. This step forward demonstrates the power of innovative technology in addressing critical challenges in healthcare today. For more information about the Saolta Healthcare Group and their services, visit their website. To learn more about Savience’s interactive SMS appointment reminders service, please click here.