Sending Batch SMS Messages

An SMS can be sent to a list of patients using templates maintained by Communicare or custom, local SMS batch reports.

You can send SMS messages to multiple patients. Appointment reminder reports are distributed by Communicare. The SMS Appointment Reminders template is maintained by Communicare and is not editable.

Important: Do not send confidential or sensitive information using an SMS Message.
To send SMS messages to multiple patients:
  1. Ensure Communicare is configured for SMS Messaging (see SMS Messaging).
  2. Select Tools > Send Batch SMS.
  3. Select SMS Appointment Reminders.
  4. Click Preview SMS' and in the confirmation window, click Yes.
  5. In the Report Parameters window, set values that limit who you send the SMS to. For example:
    • First date to report - tomorrow
    • Last date to report - tomorrow
    • Appointment Place - Millennium Health Service
    • Provider - Christine Ellison
  6. Click OK.
  7. The Send SMS Messages window lists the messages to be sent and the patient name and number. Review the messages to be sent and deselect any messages you do not want to send. Note the following:
    • The traffic light icon in the bottom left corner of the SMS Batch window shows you if you have enough credit to send the messages. The icon is:
      • Red if you do not have enough credit to send the messages. Send SMS is disabled. Click Top-up Credit to add more credit. See SMS Messaging for more information.
      • Yellow if you do have enough credit but it is within 50 units of your current limit.
      • Green if you have credit for 50 more messages than you are about to send.
  8. Click Send SMS.

There is a delay between when a message is sent and when confirmation is received.

When the messages are sent, SMS Message clinical items are created for each patient who has been messaged. The Clinical Items can be found on the Detail tab of the Clinical Record and show the message, mobile number, date and time the message was sent, and the message status. The message status is one of the following:
  • Pending - awaiting confirmation that the message was sent successfully
  • Sent Successfully - the message was sent successfully
  • Send Failed - the message failed to send and an error message is displayed

Sending SMS messages to group members

You can send custom SMS messages to members of a specific group, such as Young Mothers Group.

Important: Do not send confidential or sensitive information using an SMS Message.
To send SMS messages to group members:
  1. Ensure Communicare is configured for SMS Messaging (see SMS Messaging).
  2. Select Tools > Send Batch SMS.
  3. Select SMS Patient Group Members.
  4. Click Preview SMS and in the confirmation window, click Yes.
  5. In the Report Parameters window:
    • In the Message to send field, enter your message to the group, up to 160 characters long
    • From the Patient Group list, select the group you want to message
  6. Click OK.
  7. The Send SMS Messages window lists the messages to be sent and the patient name and number. Review the messages to be sent and deselect any messages you do not want to send. Note the following:
    • Any messages that are longer than 160 characters are truncated to 160 characters. Hover your mouse over the message to see the message that will be sent.
    • The traffic light icon in the bottom left corner of the SMS Batch window shows you if you have enough credit to send the messages. This will be:
      • Red if you do not have enough credit to send the messages. Send SMS is disabled. Click Top-up Credit to add more credit. See SMS Messaging for more information.
      • Yellow if you do have enough credit but it is within 50 units of your current limit.
      • Green if you have credit for 50 more messages than you are about to send.
  8. Click Send SMS.

There is a delay between when a message is sent and when confirmation is received.

When the messages are sent, SMS Message clinical items are created for each patient who has been messaged. The Clinical Items can be found on the Detail tab of the Clinical Record and show the message, mobile number, date and time the message was sent, and the message status. The message status is one of the following:
  • Pending - awaiting confirmation that the message was sent successfully
  • Sent Successfully - the message was sent successfully
  • Send Failed - the message failed to send and an error message is displayed