Atlantic General Hospital launching text messaging service packed with features for patients, doctors

BERLIN, Md. – Atlantic General Hospital will soon be launching a new text messaging service. The hospital says it will streamline patients’ hospital experience and get information to doctors faster. “We send you a text message. You click on the link, type in your last name and date of birth and you have access to all your information we want you to see,” said Atlantic General Hospital Vice President of Information Services Jonathan Bauer.

If patients provide a cell phone number when they register at the hospital, they’re automatically enrolled into the service. Patients can do anything from schedule appointments to check their test results. The service will send a text to patients 24 hours after discharge to make sure they’re on the path to recovery. Patients will also be able to check in electronically, schedule and cancel appointments, get appointment reminders, and see their patient information. Plus, patients can give feedback on the care they received.

Bauer says that the hospital wanted to improve upon their traditional online patient portal system and make their stay easy to navigate and comfortable. “Most people have a phone. Even the population we serve down here which is a lot of Medicare patients, a lot of elderly patients. They even have phones as well. We’re trying to make sure we tap into that resource that patients already have and get them the information right in the palm of their hand,” said Bauer.

AGH says that doctors will benefit from the text service too, as they can more quickly gather and review patient information. The service will be rolled out in three stages. The first stage launches Thanksgiving week, the second stage launches in March of 2021, and the final stage going live in July of 2021.