Automated follow-up reminders for check-ups and procedures

Purpose

1.1. Automate the scheduling and delivery of follow-up reminders to patients for radiology check-ups and post-procedure appointments.
1.2. Reduce patient no-shows by automatedly notifying them via preferred channels (SMS, email, voice, WhatsApp) in a compliant, trackable fashion.
1.3. Automate documentation of reminder delivery and responses within EHR/EMR for streamlined patient management and compliance reporting.
1.4. Enable radiology practices to automate personalized scheduling nudges, balancing operational efficiency with patient engagement and retention.

Trigger Conditions

2.1. Patient appointment entry created/updated in EHR/EMR for future check-up or procedure.
2.2. Procedure completion triggers automated follow-up sequence.
2.3. Pre-configured time intervals before/after appointment (e.g., 48 hours prior, 1 week post-procedure).
2.4. Non-response or missed appointment triggers repeat automated reminder.

Platform Variants

3.1. Twilio (SMS, Voice, WhatsApp)
• Feature/Setting: Automate programmable messaging using Twilio SMS API or WhatsApp API; configure webhook for EHR integration.
• Example: Use /Messages endpoint; automate send on appointment creation.
3.2. SendGrid (Email)
• Feature/Setting: Automate transactional emails with SendGrid Email API; configure templates using dynamic parameters (patient, date).
• Example: Use /mail/send API; trigger automatedly on schedule.
3.3. Microsoft Outlook 365
• Feature/Setting: Automating calendar invites and reminder emails via Microsoft Graph API; automate mail/send and calendar/event endpoints.
3.4. Google Calendar
• Feature/Setting: Automator uses Google Calendar Events API for scheduling, modifies events to trigger reminders; automates notifications via popups or email.
3.5. Slack
• Feature/Setting: Automate patient team reminders via Webhooks or Scheduled Messages API for internal staff.
3.6. Salesforce Health Cloud
• Feature/Setting: Automates follow-up task assignment and patient email triggers using Process Builder or Flow Builder.
3.7. DrChrono
• Feature/Setting: Automating patient appointment reminders using DrChrono’s Appointment API and automated messaging endpoints.
3.8. Kareo
• Feature/Setting: Automates reminders via Kareo’s Patient Communications API, integrating with patient records.
3.9. Medesk
• Feature/Setting: Automator uses Appointment and Reminder modules; schedules multi-channel reminders.
3.10. Athenahealth
• Feature/Setting: Utilize Appointment Booking API to automate post-visit outreach campaigns.
3.11. Mailgun
• Feature/Setting: Automate follow-up reminders via Mailgun’s /messages endpoint for personalized emails.
3.12. RingCentral
• Feature/Setting: Automates automated voice or SMS reminders via RingCentral’s Messages API.
3.13. WhatsApp Business API
• Feature/Setting: Automates message templates for healthcare reminders initiated via API.
3.14. ClickSend
• Feature/Setting: Automate cross-channel reminders (SMS, email) using REST API; programmatically format outbound reminders.
3.15. Zoho CRM
• Feature/Setting: Automatic task and workflow-based notification scheduling for patient follow-ups; uses Deluge script.
3.16. Pipedrive
• Feature/Setting: Automate activities and reminder email flows for patient records via Workflow Automation module.
3.17. Intercom
• Feature/Setting: Automates patient engagement with chat/email campaigns triggered by appointment or inactivity events.
3.18. HubSpot
• Feature/Setting: Automator schedules follow-up workflows using HubSpot Workflows API with patient/pipeline data.
3.19. ActiveCampaign
• Feature/Setting: Build multi-step automations for reminders using Contact and Campaign Automation features.
3.20. Zapier
• Feature/Setting: Connects scheduling tools with email/SMS platforms for auto-reminder flows using Zap triggers and actions.
3.21. Aircall
• Feature/Setting: Schedule and automate outbound call reminders through Aircall’s API for patient appointments.
3.22. eClinicalWorks
• Feature/Setting: Automator integrates appointment data and triggers automated patient communication via Messenger Service.

Benefits

4.1. Significantly automates the reduction of no-shows and late cancellations.
4.2. Increases patient retention and satisfaction through timely, automated communications.
4.3. Automating processes boosts staff productivity and focuses resources on clinical care.
4.4. Ensures compliance with regulatory requirements via audit trails of every automated reminder.
4.5. Enables scalable, low-touch operations across multiple clinical sites through robust automation.
4.6. Frees up phone lines and administrative time by automating repetitive patient communication.