2 Types of broadcast messaging to benefit home-based care

2 Types of broadcast messaging to benefit home-based care

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By: Donald McCormack, Technical Product Manager, CitusHealth

Broadcast messaging is a group messaging application that allows staff members to communicate with multiple patients, other staff members or partners all at once. Within CitusHealth, a special privilege allows a user to initiate these messages, but there’s no limit on the topics they can cover. With the ability to select a cohort of patients or all patients, the flexibility adds additional efficiency to the process. A message can include an attachment, which can also include images, video or website links.

Organizations can easily determine the groups that will receive the bulk announcement and even use tagging to send specific messaging types. From organizational updates, supply substitutions or emergency weather planning, providers can use this feature to collaborate care and improve patient engagement.

Here are two types of broadcast messaging and how they can benefit home-based care organizations.

Standard broadcast messaging
This standard type of broadcast message can be sent out by staff members to a specified group, but no one in that group can respond. They’re also unable to see others within that group.

Imagine any scenario that would require you to reach out to each patient individually to inform them about news regarding your organization. Instead of making multiple phone calls or sending emails, staff members can send a single, one-way message that notifies patients quickly and easily. Because the feature allows you to select cohorts of patients or staff to send the message to, you can get the right content to the right recipients — all with one message. Examples include:

  • Announcing holiday hours and encouraging refill scheduling
  • Providing an image or video link on a new device or supply
  • Explaining weather emergency plans
  • Rolling out a new process by sending to specific team members or the whole organization

Masked broadcast messaging
Unlike the standard type, masked messaging can only be sent to staff and partners. It allows recipients to respond — only to the person who initiated the message. For staff-to-staff or staff-to-partner communication where a response is needed, masked messaging can help eliminate phone tag by getting all needed replies from one simple message. Masked messages can be sent to individuals or to a role, which would include all staff or partners in that role.

For example, when a scheduling coordinator needs to secure staffing for a new or existing patient, multiple staff or partners can be messaged to see who can staff the visit or accept the overall case. Attachments can be sent to provide additional information. Masked broadcast messaging allows recipients to respond only to the staff member who initiated the chat and makes quick responses possible.

Broadcast messaging isn’t just a way to communicate in bulk. It’s a digital tool for efficient engagement among care teams and those they serve. Request a demo to see for yourself how CitusHealth is helping home-based care organizations adopt innovative communication strategies to better connect staff and patients.

Donald McCormack
Donald McCormack

Donald McCormack has been a Technical Product Manager at Citushealth since January 2022. He has an extensive technology background as a hands-on developer and had spent the last 6 years in product management and development. He earned his diploma in Management Information Systems and Technology from Albany State University and is a current Candidate for an MBA in Healthcare management in summer of 2023.