Bridge has the ability to automate recall messaging based on data from past or upcoming appointments. Depending on the past appointment type, a logic is placed into our recall engine that lets Bridge know when to send the future message/messages. Triggers can also be received directly from the EHR and then custom messages sent to the patient from Bridge.

Bridge offers IVR reminders and notifications, along with bidirectional patient messaging, SMS, Email, and Push-based notifications/reminders. The IVR-based calls also support user-inputted responses (i.e., “Press 1 to confirm, or 2 to cancel your upcoming appointment”)

Bridge’s notification engine can alert patients to complete a self-assessment via patient messaging software, which includes email, SMS/text, and push notifications. There would need to be a trigger that prompts the self-assessment such as an upcoming appointment of a certain appointment type, or a post-visit message

Bridge does not have its own HISP for direct messaging. If direct messaging was required in a client instance, we would rely on third-party vendors to satisfy the requirement.

Bridge supports patient broadcast messaging functions in the administration panel of the patient messaging software. Simply select which segment of patients requires a message by selecting from an extensive list of filters, then either export the list of patients to send the message in the email messaging software or send a message directly from Bridge. Bridge supports both patient SMS messaging software and email mass messaging.

Currently, chatbots are not supported. Bridge plans to include a chatbot for its virtual visit module.

Yes. Bridge has a robust admin panel that allows for the easy setup of SMS and email notifications. These can be used for a variety of features, including:

• • Appointment Confirmations
  • Appointment Reminders
  • Health Summaries
  • New Documents
  • Rx Refill Status Change
  • New Invoices
  • New Lab Results
  • New Message

To learn more about SMS and email notifications, please see: The Facts about HIPAA and Email/SMS Communication with Patients.

To learn more about sending appointment reminders securely, please see: How to Send Automated Patient Appointment Reminders Without Jeopardizing Patients’ Data Security.

Bridge has a robust admin panel that allows for the easy set up of IVR reminders and notifications, along with bidirectional patient messaging, SMS, Email, and Push-based notifications/reminders. The IVR-based calls also support user-inputted responses (i.e., “Press 1 to confirm, or 2 to cancel your upcoming appointment”). Patients can use a direct messaging protocol, granted the provider has a direct message address.

Bridge supports patient mass messaging functions in the administration panel. Simply select the criteria of patients that you want to send a message to by selecting from an extensive list of filters, then either export the list of patients to send the message in your email messaging software or send a message directly from Bridge. Bridge supports both SMS and email mass messaging.

Messaging can be used to communicate:

• Appointment Confirmations
• Patient Recall Messaging Software
• HIPAA-compliant appointment reminders
• Health Summaries
• New Documents
• Rx Refill Status Change
• New Invoices
• New Lab Results
• New Message

*Reminder, it is a HIPAA violation to include names or PHI in an email or SMS text. That being said, depending on the content of the email/SMS, who the email/SMS is being sent to, or mechanisms put in place to ensure the integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI), email/SMS can comply with HIPAA in certain circumstances. The patient also can sign an opt-in agreement (where they accept the risks of PHI in messages) with a health organization and receive PHI via email/SMS. The opt-in agreement is a common practice among Bridge clients.

To learn more about SMS and Email notifications, please see:

To learn more about sending appointment reminders securely, please see: How to Send Automated Patient Appointment Reminders Without Jeopardizing Patients’ Data Security

Yes. Clients can utilize three different methods for sending personalized patient education material.

• Direct message: Send patients education via direct message (attachments, URL’s, text)
• Mass messaging: Utilize the marketing module to target patients with a specific condition and send the target patient population the education material in one click.
• Care plans: Automated triggering of patient education as the patient adheres to the assigned care plan.

Yes, as well as bidirectional patient messaging granted, the provider has a direct message address.

The short answer is yes. That being said, depending on the content of the email/SMS, who the email/SMS is being sent to, or mechanisms put in place to ensure the integrity of Protected Health Information (PHI), email/SMS can HIPAA compliant messaging in certain circumstances. The patient also can sign an opt-in agreement (where they accept the risks of PHI in messages) with a health organization and receive PHI via email/SMS. The opt-in agreement is a common practice among Bridge clients.

For more information, please see: The Facts about HIPAA and Email/SMS Communication with Patients