SMS Templates for Orthopedic Clinics

Introduction: Why Smart Communication Matters in Orthopedic Clinics

Orthopedic patients often manage a complex care journey involving pre-surgery, pre-operative imaging, physical therapy, and follow-up care. Therefore, effective and timely communication is important.

Orthopedic practices that utilize SMS messaging to remind patients about their post-surgical rehabilitation can expect an improvement of upwards of 38% in rehabilitation adherence. Automated texting with communication in an orthopedic practice has been shown to reduce no-shows as high as 70% in high-traffic clinics.

The right SMS templates for orthopedic clinics, create trust, increase satisfaction, and run an overall smarter clinic.

SMS Templates for Orthopedics: Bridging the Communication Gap

SMS is a vital communication channel for orthopedic clinics. It is personal, it is fast, and most importantly, it is efficient. This is why this channel is valuable for orthopedic patients:

• Access: Many patients have cellphones, so texts are easy to receive, even post-surgery or when they are in pain.
• Real Time: Read it within minutes, it’s best for fast news or time-sensitive updates.
• Brevity: SMS provides a short and easy way to communicate with patients. This is especially helpful for patients who are busy or recovering.
• Log-Keeping: Both the patient and the clinic can refer to all the details they need from the digital log.
• HIPAA Compliant: All messages must be HIPAA compliant to maintain patient confidentiality.

Use Case 1: Welcome & Onboard New Patient

By clearly welcoming new patients, you can help build trust and reduce any anxiety they may have about their first visit.

Templates:

“Welcome to [Clinic Name], [Name]! Your visit with Dr. [Name] is scheduled for [Date] at [Time]. You can complete your pre-visit forms here: [Link].”

“Hello, [Name], thanks for selecting [Clinic Name]. Prepare for your arrival by completing the form at this link: [Link]. Questions? Call [Phone].”

“We can’t wait to see you in person, [Name]! Review here what to expect and check out appointment details here: [Link]. Reply YES to confirm.

Use-Case 2: Appointment Reminder & Confirmation

Reducing no-shows for consults, follow-ups, PT, or surgery is critical to orthopedics workflow. The solution is SMS reminders.

Templates:

“Reminder: Your appt with [Clinic] is [Date] at [Time] for [Condition]. Reply YES to confirm. [Link].”

“IMPORTANT: Your [Surgery] is on [Date] at [Time]. Review your pre-op steps here: [Link] or call us at [Phone].”

“Hi [Name]. Your PT is at [Time] on [Date]. Reply YES to confirm or call [Phone] to reschedule.”

“Follow up for [Issue] with Dr. [Name] is on [Date] at [Time]”. See you then!”

“Your appointment on [Date] at [Time] is coming up. To cancel or reschedule, please call [Phone].”

Use Case 3: Post-Appointment & Procedure Check-Ins

Proactive check-ins, post-visit, build trust with patients, and ultimately better outcomes. It also serves as a great message to patients to deter complaints and to improve loyalty!

Templates:

“Hey, [Name]. Hope your appointment went well with Dr. [Name]. Don’t hesitate to let us know if you have any questions, and call us anytime.”

“Hey, [Name], we are thinking of you after your [Surgery]. Please be sure to follow the post-op instructions provided and call us if you need anything.”

“How are you recovering after your [Surgery]? On a scale of 1-10, how is your pain? Reply directly.

“Hey, [Name], how’s your PT for [Area] coming along? Let us know if you have any questions, etc.! “

“Reminder to take your pain medication as prescribed for [Issue]. Remember, you’ll make the most progress in your recovery with consistency.

These templates are some of the best to use in SMS for orthopedic clinics aimed towards patient care.

Use Case 4: Important Updates & Information

SMS is by far the quickest, most direct, and one of the most reliable ways to send clinic-wide alerts related to closures and updates.

Templates:

“Urgent: [Clinic] is closed today due to [Reason]. We will be reaching out to you shortly to reschedule your appointment.”

“Hey [Name], Your [X-ray/MRI] results are in your portal. Login here: [Link].

“Great news! [Clinic] now offers [Service]. Learn more here: [Link].”

“Complete your pre-visit forms online before your appointment with Dr.[Name]: [Link]”

“Hi [Name], there is a billing question from your recent interaction. Call us at [Phone].”

Use Case 5: Review Request & Feedback

Requesting reviews via strategic patient feedback text message templates can also help bolster your online reputation.

Templates:

“Thank you for visiting [Clinic]! We would love to hear your feedback: [Review Link].”

“I’m so pleased your [Issue] recovery is going well! Share your experience: [Link].”

“Did [Staff Name] contribute to making your visit better? Leave a quick review: [Link].”

“How was your visit to [Clinic]? Leave your thoughts here: [Link].”

“Thank you for your thoughts! If it’s good, please share on Google: [Link].”

Use Case 6: Reminders and Notes for Follow-Up Consults

Reminding repeat consults prior to they’re due enables a better course of treatment.

Templates:

“Hello [Name], Just a reminder that your follow-up visit with Dr. [Name] is scheduled for [Date] at [Time]. Let us know if anything changes.”

“Can’t wait to see you for your followup consultation for [Issue]. [Clinic Name], [Date] at [Time]. Need to reschedule? Call [Phone].”

“Your orthopedic follow-up is confirmed. If you’re up-to-date with your reports and have questions or new reports for me, then to save time, feel free to bring them.”

Use Case 7: Payment & Billing Reminders

Billing Communication can prevent misunderstandings which help in the consistent flow of finances.

Templates:

“Hi [Name], your [Clinic Name] invoice is ready. Pay securely here: [Payment Link].”

“Just a reminder: the ₹[Amount] balance for your recent visit is due. Need help? Contact [Phone].”

“Thanks so much for your payment, [Name]! Here is a copy of your receipt that was emailed to you. Questions? We’re here to help.”

Enhanced Technologies for Orthopedic Communications

Beyond simple automated template improvements, orthopedic clinics can build improved workflows that enhance care and improve efficiency.

Personalization & Segmentation

Every orthopedic patient is different. Categorize by treatment stage, pre-op, post-op, PT, and pull through merge tags like [Patient Name] and [Doctor Name] for targeted messages. This ensures trust and makes patients feel seen, not forgotten.

Two-Directional SMS Message & Live Chat Integration

Let a patient reply to a message from you or let them confirm an appointment if the message can be one-directional, and they can reply or confirm on the same communication platform. Rather than replicate workflows, have your live chat on the same communication platform to streamline processes and workflows for the front desk while improving your responsiveness to your patients.

Automated Communication vs. Manual Communication

Automate all of your reminders and any standard/ routine messages, and reserve replies for messages or confirmations required for complex or sensitive patient messages. This model is a hybrid model that supports improvements through the automation and consistency of messaging while having the human touch when required, particularly for an orthopedic care setting.

Multi-Language Support

Provide options for your medical office SMS templates in multiple languages. For example, ensure that all of the instructions are made available in a patient’s primary language. It will lead to feeling more trusted and cared for in orthopedic care, given the respective communities.

Onboarding Staff in Digital Communication

When texting your patients, your medical office staff is responsible for monitoring tone, clarity, and HIPAA compliance. Your onboarding process includes the management of responses along with your best practices and period of review in your medical assistant SMS scripting and digital communications training.

Technology Can Help: A Look at Emitrr’s Role in Orthopedic Communication

The Challenge for Today’s Orthopedic Clinics:

Orthopedic teams face disruption and fragmentation within communication channels, amongst personal texts, phone calls, voicemails, and other portal setups that don’t interconnect. This approach leads to inefficient workflows, delays in treatment scheduling, poor patient experience, and, ultimately, work to slow overall clinic experience and clinic responsiveness.

What Emitrr Provides as an Integrated Solution:

Emitrr provides a full-feature set of VoIP, SMS, and voicemails tailored to healthcare. Emitrr’s software does not just schedule, it is a comprehensive communication platform and better ecosystem for your clinic that helps organize your workflows, automate provider scheduling, and retain patients with more purposeful and frequent communications.

What Emitrr provides to orthopedic clinics:

• Personalized Greetings for Precision: Configure SMS greetings by department or provider for the best use of any call directing patients.
• Voicemail-to-Text/Email for Speed: Converts voicemails for reading, follow-up, and scheduling as fast as possible.
• Clear Phone Calls for Ongoing Connection: Enjoy clear call quality without additional noise from your surroundings during the conversation.
• One Collated Dashboard: Consolidate all patient calls, texts & voicemails onto one screen.
• Automated SMS for Continuous Engagement: Schedule reminders, missed call texts, and feedback requests at a time and frequency of your preference to help keep patients engaged.
• HIPAA Compliance: All your messages, SMS, and lurks are secure and protected per strict guidelines and encryption

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Orthopedic care is not just procedures and surgeries; it’s how you communicate and engage with patients! With purpose-designed tools to communicate, including SMS templates for orthopedic clinics, our practice can remain responsive, trusted, and patient-centred in communication.

Do you want to streamline your communication processes and increase your patient retention? Book a free demo today with Emitrr.