In 2020, providers quickly integrated telehealth into their workflows to safely triage patients, underscoring the value of technology. Now, with the approval of a COVID-19 vaccine, technology is once again playing an essential role.
Technology plays a critical role in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout
There are multiple solutions that support patient communications, including secure text, broadcast reminders, email and phone calls. However, data shows that 46% of patients prefer to receive COVID-19 vaccine news and updates via email, with 34% preferring a phone call and 33% preferring text messages. In order to ensure a seamless experience for both staff and patients, solutions that eliminate repetition, streamlined operations that work together cohesively are key:
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Broadcast messaging - whether or not a practice is actively distributing vaccines, broadcast messaging can help proactively answer patient questions and provide a medium to share important information about the vaccine, availability at your practice and COVID-19 developments. This can help eliminate confusion, mass lines and phone line overload as patients look for information from your staff.
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Text messaging - to get patients ready for their vaccine appointment, practices can send a secure text message to share appointment details. Post-appointment, practices can reiterate possible side effects and confirm a patient’s follow up vaccination. This is critical to ensuring adherence to the second dose.
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Paperless forms - can be used to streamline vaccination appointments. With electronic/online forms practices no longer have to swap clipboards and pens. Patients and staff can remain safe through contactless check-ins and digital intake, including signing of consent forms, a vaccine information statement, and follow- up/monitoring information.
With an uptick in physical appointments to receive the vaccine, additional paperwork and influx of questions -- saving time while safely and effectively communicating with patients is a top priority for physicians. As the vaccine becomes more available to the general public, proactive and consistent communications are key to a seamless vaccine delivery process.
About the Author: Michael Morgan is the president of Updox. With a successful track record in helping organizations use technology to transform the way healthcare is delivered, Mike has more than 25 years of healthcare leadership within software, behavioral health and HIT organizations. Updox was named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing companies in America for the past five consecutive years.
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