Electronic Engagement

Communication with patients is directly linked to top-line revenue growth at GI practices and surgery centers. Consider how an answer of “no” to any of the following questions would impact revenue:

• Did the patient show up for a scheduled appointment or procedure?
• Did the patient notify about their intent to cancel far enough in advance to permit scheduling of another patient?
• If the patient showed up for an appointment as scheduled, did they comply with prep instructions?

Now, consider how revenue is increasingly impacted. This is as more patients come up short concerning these questions. For decades, phone calls and letters have served as the major form of communication in the GI space. If patient engagement levels were less than desired, the solution has typically been to make more phone calls. Perhaps you also send more letters. However, these options are time-consuming, expensive and often ineffective. Time spent making multiple calls, leaving a voicemail or printing and mailing a letter is time staff could have spent doing something else. Letters are sent with the hope that patients receive and then open, read and respond. While some organizations have turned to email to help with engagement, it also has its shortcomings. One study shows that the average U.S. workers inbox has nearly 200 unread or unopened emails at any given time.

Making the Case for Two-Way Texting

Fortunately, as a growing number of providers are discovering, there is a means of communication that addresses many of the shortcomings associated with more traditional forms. Texting—and more specifically two-way, HIPAA-compliant texting—presents a communication opportunity for GI practices and surgery centers to bolster their patient communication efforts and bottom line in the process.

Two-way texting enables push and pull of information from patients, caregivers and healthcare facility staff. It is a proven method for not only engaging patients, but also enhancing outcomes, improving staff productivity and strengthening workflow.

Look back at the questions we posed concerning top-line revenue in the GI space. Texting reduces cancellations and no-shows. It also increases the likelihood of filling an open slot in the schedule and increases the recall of patients for screenings.

A Crisp Reception

Since 2017, some PE GI Solutions facilities have used two-way texting as a patient communication tool. Patients seen at these facilities have been very receptive to receiving text communications. As of January 2020, nearly 80% of these patients have provided a mobile number and were being reached via text messages, says TJ Berdzik, CFA, Senior Financial Analyst and Manager of Financial Analytics at PE.

“From a volume standpoint, the benefits from such effective pre-procedure communication are twofold,” Berdzik says. “First, patients sometimes forget their appointments. If a nudge via text reminds a patient to show up, the center has avoided a no-show cancellation. The second benefit is in cancellation timing. If a patient would have canceled anyway due to a conflict, an early nudge, such as one sent several days before their appointment, may motivate the patient to cancel.”

By using texting to improve earlier cancellation timing, there is an opportunity to backfill the now vacant appointment slot with a new patient. In PE’s experience, Berdzik adds, “We found that the data indicates both lower last-minute cancellations as well as an increase in earlier cancellations. Overall, through the use of effective pre-procedure texting, we’ve seen cancellations in the last 24–48 hours decline by as much as 5%, with an average of about 1%–2%. Net, this can contribute to higher room utilization, center revenue and profitability.”

Two-way texting is a communication resource that can be an immediate asset to any GI facility. By embracing the convenience, speed and ubiquity of two-way texting, GI practices and surgery centers can increase patient engagement. This is a benefit to patients, staff, gastroenterologists and the healthcare system as a whole.