Patient communication powered by WELL Health, a program that went live last year, allows us to easily communicate with our patients via text about appointment reminders and location details. Since COVID-19, a few of our hospitals have taken this technology and innovated it to help meet social distancing needs for our patients and staff.

To limit the amount of time patients spend in our waiting rooms, HMSL, HMB and HMWB began texting patients through WELL Health to let them know when they can be seen in exam rooms. This allows patients to comfortably and safely wait in their cars, instead of our waiting rooms. Clinic staff meet patients at the door and escort them to their appointments.

Waiting time for those departments and participating hospitals has averaged about three minutes. Patient feedback has been positive.

We’ve also used texting to let patients know about telehealth options, to offer special instructions on the day before appointments and to educate on COVID-19.

Click to listen to Dr. Marc Boom’s latest roundtable discussion where Chris Siebenaler, regional SVP and CEO of Houston Methodist Sugar Land Hospital shares more on WELL Health.