Short Message Service (SMS) Key Points

Please note the following hints and tips for getting the most out of Short Message Service (SMS) messaging:

  • You can send text messages to groups of patients.

    See Sending SMS Text Messages using Patient Groups for details.

  • Keep SMS messages brief with no more than 160 characters. Long SMS messages can be split into two or more with you being charge for multiple messages.

  • Text messages should not contain patient-identifiable data.

  • You can include a URL address in a text message, but remember to avoid the message being too long.

  • From Vision+ Practice Reports, you can view lists of patients to whom you have sent appointment reminder text messages.

    See Appointment SMS Text Message Reports for details.

  • There is an option to include an informed dissent merge field in your SMS message templates. This is only valid if recalling patients from Vision+ QOF Reports or an outstanding indicator on the Vision+ Alert Indicator screen.

    See Edit Existing SMS Template with Informed Dissent Option for details.

  • You can review your SMS configuration in Vision+ Settings.

    See Settings - SMS and Settings - SMS Replies for details.

  • When you send a recall message to a patient, a clinical term records in the patient record with the message content. The clinical term depends on your clinical terminology:

    • Read code - 9N3G.00 SMS Text Message Sent To Patient

    • SNOMED CT - 711408005 Short message service text message sent to patient (procedure)

  • To track patient mobile number status, use the Administration - SMS Validation clinical audit, see In Practice Systems Daily in the Clinical Audit Help Centre for details.

  • To assist in checking a patient's mobile number you can attached a reminder to the above audit, see Managing Reminders in the Clinical Audit Help Centre for details.

  • Use the Communication Details Wizard spreadsheet to audit mobile numbers, the spreadsheet enables you to filter mobile numbers that include letters, see Communication Details Wizard in the Search and Reports Help Centre for details.