FRANKLIN, Tenn. — Dialog Health , a healthcare industry-leading two-way text messaging platform that improves staff and patient engagement, announces the publication of its latest eBook, " How Healthcare HR Leaders Are Leveraging Text Messaging Solutions to Drastically Improve Employee Engagement ." The eBook identifies some of the most common and beneficial ways healthcare organizations and their human resources (HR) departments are using two-way conversational text messaging to achieve significant, enterprise-wide improvements in employee communication, engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. These efforts are helping healthcare providers decrease staff workload, hours, and burnout while strengthening everything from recruitment and retention, to onboarding and training, to emergency preparedness and response. The areas highlighted and discussed in the eBook are as follows: Staff requirements and responsibilities Onboarding communication Time-sensitive notifications Announcements Open enrollment campaign Company benefits information Enhance company culture Recruiting and interview communication Surveys and questionnaires Date and deadline reminders Positive news and staff support Group-specific communications Two-way text messaging has gone from a "nice-to-have" to a "need-to-have" communication and engagement channel for healthcare human resources departments. Texting is fast, convenient, and inexpensive. It's the method of communication most likely to reach, be read, and engaged with by employees. Since healthcare HR departments must ensure critical messages are reaching large groups of — if not all — employees, some of whom may now be working remotely, they are increasingly adding and then leaning heavily upon texting. A compelling argument can be made that two-way, conversational texting should be the backbone for healthcare HR communications — and the Dialog Health platform is the solution of choice for a growing number of healthcare organizations. As Raymond Hino, CEO of Southern Coos Hospital & Health Center, said, "I would highly recommend Dialog Health to any employer interested in adopting a platform for quick, timely, and easy text messages to both employees and customers that are quickly opened and read. With texting, our hospital employees are now receiving timely messages about events, deadlines, and even community-wide emergency events. I think any employer that ignores this incredible opportunity for real-time communications is missing out on a potentially game-changing solution." Download Dialog Health's new healthcare HR eBook here . About Dialog Health Dialog Health is a cloud-based, HIPAA-compliant, two-way conversational text messaging software that improves patient/customer and employee engagement. Dialog Health solutions are trusted by Fortune 500 organizations and proven to decrease staff workload and burnout, reduce no-shows, improve productivity and efficiency, increase revenue, strengthen compliance, and boost staff morale. Dialog Health's multiple texting solutions can be used across an organization's enterprise or for targeted departmental outreach and communication improvement initiatives. To learn how Dialog Health's solutions are transforming the way organizations communicate and engage, visit dialoghealth.com , call (877) 666-1132, and follow Dialog Health on LinkedIn .

It's National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month , so we wanted to bring attention to one of the most effective ways gastroenterology centers and practices are achieving improvements to their screening programs: HIPAA-compliant text messaging. We work with such organizations to help them leverage the power of texting to enhance patient engagement in ways that drive up screening volume and patient compliance. With about 30% of U.S. adults aged 50 to 75 years behind on their colorectal cancer screening, and 2021's revised guidelines expanding the recommended age for colorectal cancer screening to include 45-50, there is a tremendous opportunity to grow the number of people undergoing colorectal cancer screenings. As we know, early detection through prevention and screening dramatically reduces fatalities from colorectal cancer. Conversational, two-way text messaging has proven itself to be a powerful tool to support these efforts. Benefits of Increased Use of GI ASC Text Messaging Here are 10 of the reasons why GI ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) are increasingly relying upon texting. 1. Text messaging is widely embraced People are already opting in to receive text messages from a wide range of businesses, including airlines, credit card companies, banks, service providers like auto repair shops and hair salons, and many others. By adding texting, GI centers and practices are using a channel already adopted and embraced by a healthy majority of their patients, including many older patients. 2. Used by targeted patients Nearly all American adults have mobile phones and use text messaging in their daily lives, which includes patients who fall in the recommended screening age range of 45-75. AARP has found that among those ages 50-69, text messaging is the technology tool most used to stay connected. This dispels the commonly perpetuated myth that age is a barrier to texting . 3. Easy to use For a GI organization to use two-way texting — the most effective means of using texting for patient engagement, which enables information to be pushed to and pulled from patients, caregivers and facility staff — all it typically needs is its existing computers and patients' mobile phone numbers. No special hardware is required. For patients, two-way texting requires no behavior change. They just need to provide their mobile number to their provider, opt-in to the texting program, and know how to open and, if necessary, respond to the texts they receive. 4. High level of patient engagement Data has shown that texting can achieve a reach rate well-exceeding 80%.(1) For GI providers, this is particularly helpful for powering screening recall programs . Since patients' mobile numbers typically do not change, phone numbers captured and entered into your text messaging system are likely to remain the same for years. 5. Reduces cancellations, no-shows and no-goes The work that goes into connecting with a patient and scheduling them for their screening will be for naught if the screening does not proceed as planned. A missed screening means a patient is not only failing to receive the care they need, increasing their risk for colorectal cancer, but if a GI center learns a patient will be missing their appointment too close to its scheduled time, this could lead to unused procedure room capacity. This then translates to a missed billing opportunity and staffing costs not offset by billable services. Texting patients is proven to reduce cancellations, no-shows and no-goes. Prior to the scheduled screening, gastroenterology ASCs can send messages that remind patients about the procedure and prep requirements, include a phone number if patients have questions or concerns, and give directions to the organization. When text messages are sent far enough in advance asking patients to confirm their procedure, a center may have adequate time to fill an opening if a patient indicates a need to reschedule. 6. Reap the benefits of automation GI organizations can schedule text messages to go out to patients in advance, whether that be days, weeks or months before recommended screening appointments. With such automation, there's no risk of falling behind and creating a backlog of outreach efforts. 7. Improves optimization of staffing and productivity With healthcare organizations, including GI providers, struggling with staff retention and recruitment, text messaging is helping ease workloads and allowing more efficient use of available staff time. Text messaging can help centers maintain a more optimal schedule, limiting the need for overtime and PRN staff. Texting substantially decreases the number of phone calls staff must make to and receive from patients and caregivers. The time saved on calls can allow a GI ASC and practice to reduce the number of hours staff need to work or provide an opportunity for staff who would be making these calls to help with other work that can strengthen clinical and financial performance. 8. Delivers cost savings that add up fast The cost of sending a stuffed envelope, taking into consideration staff time and materials, can exceed $2.00. Most outreach efforts by phone require multiple calls — and are often unsuccessful. Every call takes up precious, expensive staff time. The cost to send a text message is usually pennies. 9. Enables more effective colon cancer screening program oversight Since two-way text messages are delivered through a technology platform, GI centers will gain the ability to track and evaluate their screening program's by running reports and reviewing key metrics. On a high level, centers should have access to data concerning the number of patients subscribed to a screening recall program, how many mobile phone numbers are in the center's database (which can be increased), the number of patients who successfully received text messages, and how many patients proceeded with scheduling an appointment and then maintaining that appointment. Such information and other data captured by a texting technology platform can help a GI center and practice identify opportunities for improvement and more effectively benchmark performance. 10. Improves usage of online resources Since nearly all mobile phones have access to the internet, text messaging is an effective way to steer patients to resources and information on the web. For example, if a GI center has a portal patients can use to schedule their own appointment, a text can inform patients that they can schedule their screening online and include a hyperlink to the portal. Linking can also be a simple way to notify, educate and provide support to patients. Links can steer patients to prep instructions, frequently asked questions, directions to a facility, educational resources and more. Adding Text Messaging to Your GI Center HIPAA-compliant, conversational two-way texting is a communication platform that's proving to be an asset to GI facilities nationwide. By embracing the convenience, speed, and ubiquity of two-way texting, GI centers and practices are increasing patient engagement, improving staff performance, and boosting patient volume and revenue. Most importantly, and in the spirit of the goals of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, texting is helping more patients who benefit from colorectal cancer screening to undergo the procedure and get the care they need. To learn more about Dialog Health's industry-leading two-way texting platform, used by leading GI ASCs and practices nationwide, schedule your demo today . [1] Dialog Health 2022 data

Strengthening patient recall programs is one of the most efficient and effective ways for healthcare organizations to increase revenue while better ensuring patients receive the preventive services that can keep them healthier and reduce risks. One of the simplest ways for healthcare organizations to accomplish these objectives while reducing costs is to communicate and engage with patients using conversational two-way text messaging, writes Dialog Health Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Brandon Daniell in his latest Medical Economics column . In the column, "How text messaging improves patient recall and practice revenue," Daniell explains why the manual labor associated making phone calls and sending letters for patient outreach are significant obstacles to recall program success. He then discusses many of the substantial benefits of using text messaging as the communication method to drive recall programs. Access Daniell's column in Medical Economics .

Dialog Health will be exhibiting at the American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA) 2023 Annual Conference and Exposition. The meeting is being held April 23–25 in Charlotte, N.C. Attendees of ASHHRA 2023 are invited to visit Dialog Health at Booth 326 to learn why our conversational, two-way texting solutions are used by Fortune 500 human resources leaders nationwide to improve their employee communications and engagement. The ASHHRA Annual Conference and Exposition brings together healthcare HR leaders from across the continuum of care to learn about the latest trends impacting the HR function in the healthcare work environment. To schedule an in-person meeting with a Dialog Health representative at the conference, email info@dialoghealth.com or call 877.666.1132.

Recent rules concerning scam text messaging issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) may have a substantial impact on the methods of communication used by businesses and the success of those communications in reaching and engaging customers. In his latest Call Center Times column , "New FCC Rules Further Enhance Value of Text Messaging for Call Centers," Dialog Health Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer Brandon Daniell summarizes the FCC's rules and explains why they're great news for businesses like call centers using or planning to use texting. He then shares four of the most significant reasons and ways call centers are currently leveraging text messaging. As Daniell states, "Text messaging has been proven to be a simple, yet highly effective and efficient means of engaging and communicating with customers. The FCC's rules should only help to solidify texting as an integral — if not central — component of any call center's communications." Access Daniell's column in Call Center Times .

Dialog Health will be exhibiting at the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) 2023 Conference & Expo. The meeting is being held May 17–20 in Louisville, Ky. ASCA 2023 are invited to visit Dialog Health at Booth 526 to learn why ASCs nationwide, including some of the largest national surgery center operators, use our conversational, HIPAA-compliant, two-way texting solutions to improve financial, operational, and clinical performance. The ASCA Annual Conference and Exposition brings together ambulatory surgery center professionals from throughout the country to for resources, education, and networking opportunities. To schedule an in-person meeting with a Dialog Health representative at ASCA 2023, email info@dialoghealth.com or call 877.666.1132.

Dialog Health announces the publication of a new client success story highlighting how its HIPAA-compliant, conversational two-way text messaging platform is helping a national ambulatory surgery center (ASC) operator achieve significant improvements in several aspects of its revenue cycle management, including increasing revenue and decreasing staff workload. The ASC operator chose Dialog Health and leveraged the company's Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) Solution to improve its patient financial communication and collections. From November 2021–October 2022, the ASC operator's surgery centers, using Dialog Health's RCM Solution, achieved the following: Decreased year-over-year accounts receivable by 21% 54% of patients paid off their balance in full after receiving just one or two text reminders Substantial return on investment in the Dialog Health Revenue Cycle Management Solution Significant increase in patient usage of online payment portals Better overall patient payment experience Decrease in staff hours associated with manual patient outreach and communication, collections, and data entry 96% of patients remained opted-in to the Dialog Health two-way text messaging The Dialog Health RCM Solution has streamlined and improved collections for the national ASC operator's surgery centers and reduced staff labor associated with securing patient payments. For patients, Dialog Health has made communication about payments less intrusive while making it simpler to submit payments via portal or phone. To access the ASC revenue cycle management case study, click here . Organizations interested in adding two-way text messaging for patient communications should contact Dialog Health , email info@dialoghealth.com , or call (877) 666-1132.

We can't believe it has already been a week since we left the puppy pen at the ASHHRA23 annual conference . It was a great show, and the Dialog Health team caught up with many old friends and made many new ones. Reflecting on our time in Charlotte, here are the top 5 things we learned from healthcare human resources leaders at ASHHRA23: Puppy pens are the best. 🐕 We will be disappointed if they're not part of every future meeting we attend. Recruitment and retention remain significant challenges and are likely to remain that way for the foreseeable future. Technology is playing an increasingly important role in helping organizations improve, streamline, and reduce staff workloads. Supporting and improving mental health for our employees is vital. Finding tools and resources to help our HR departments with these efforts must be a priority. It's critical to gain improved insight into the effectiveness of communication channels. Analytics can help measure results and provide key insights that can lead to positive changes. A growing driver of staff satisfaction is engagement. Staff want to feel like their opinions matter and are eager to share their thoughts on what's working well and what could work better. This makes two-way texting a must-have facet for organizations leveraging texting. One-way texting does not permit that important, conversational aspect of communication with staff. If you didn't make it to ASHHRA23 and would like to learn why our two-way texting solutions are relied upon by healthcare organizations nationwide to improve employee communication and engagement, just text ASHHRA23 to 88079 or fill out this form .

We've had the past week-plus to reflect on our time at the terrific ASCA 2023 Conference & Expo . It was yet another great meeting hosted by the Ambulatory Surgery Center Association. We had the opportunity to meet up with old friends and make many new ones while learning about the biggest trends, opportunities, and challenges for the ambulatory surgery center industry. Here are some of the top things we learned from attendees, presenters, and fellow exhibitors at the meeting. Cookies make a great booth giveaway (super-soft T-shirts, too). A lot of ASCs are already using text messaging. That's good news. But many of the texting solutions in use have risks and/or limitations. Some aren't HIPAA-compliant, which is problematic if you're sharing protected health information (PHI) or other sensitive data. Other solutions don't allow two-way conversational texting, which significantly decreases the ways text messaging can be used. And then there are "free" or bare-bones solutions that further reduce capabilities and can dissuade usage of texting. In other words, not all healthcare texting software is the same. Staffing issues (e.g., recruitment, retention, burnout, satisfaction) remain a, if not the , top challenge facing ASCs today. Surgery centers are working to leverage a variety of tactics and solutions to navigate these issues. One presenter encouraged ASCs to better engage staff by providing a method for them to communicate and make them feel more involved in operations and success of the facility. For some ASCs, texting is helping greatly here. One of the most significant barriers ASCs are facing when trying to engage with patients is communication. ASCs are prioritizing technology that can more easily integrate with an existing EHR or other database system. "Interoperability" is a big buzzword these days, and rightfully so. It's essential for solutions to speak with one another to help ASCs take advantage of automation and streamlined workflows — and ultimately "do more with less." Some veteran staff are resistant to using new technologies because of concerns that such solutions will diminish the patient care experience. When adding new solutions, ASCs will want to demonstrate how the technology can enhance the patient experience and give patients a greater opportunity to participate in their care. Surgery centers should also emphasize how new technologies can help in other areas that matter greatly to staff, including improving outcomes, increasing patient satisfaction, growing volume (i.e., providing care to more patients), and reducing taxing, manual processes. If you were unable to attend ASCA 2023 and would like to learn why Dialog Health's HIPAA-compliant, two-way texting solutions are relied upon by ASCs and surgery center operators nationwide to improve patient and staff communication and engagement, fill out this form .

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has published new rules targeting scam text messaging, which is great news for medical practices using or considering whether to add texting as a communication channel. In a new Physicians Practice column , Dialog Health Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer Sean Roy explains the FCC's rules and why it's a welcome development for healthcare practices. He then shares key qualities medical practices should look for in a healthcare text messaging company, which include choosing a partner that understands the FCC rules and designs its texting technology to comply with them. As Roy states, "The FCC's new rules and commitment to cracking down on spam and scam texts will only help to solidify texting as an integral — if not central — component of healthcare communications." Access Roy's Physicians Practice column .

Last year, we shared one of our team member's favorite holiday baking recipes. This recipe was so well received that we wanted to share it again this year. And like the Dialog Health platform, the recipe has received some upgrades over the past year that we think makes it even better. The full recipe is below. The Dialog Health team wishes you happy baking and you and yours a happy and safe holiday season! * * * Ingredients 2 1/4 cup flour 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1/2 cup unsalted butter (room temperature) 1/2 cup shortening 1 cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 2 eggs 2 cups semi-sweet chocolate morsels (1 bag) Sea salt flakes (e.g., Maldon) Directions Preheat oven to 375°F In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda until combined. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl, stir together butter, shortening, dark brown sugar, and sugar. Hand stir. Mix in 2 eggs and vanilla. You do not want to over stir as it will whip the eggs and make the cookies cake-like. Mix in the dry Ingredients - hand stir. Add in the chocolate chips and hand stir until well mixed. Scoop good-sized cookie dough on to baking sheet. Consider using a small ice cream scoop. Sprinkle a few flakes of sea salt on each cookie. Bake for 9-12 minutes. Every oven is different so watch very carefully! Take the cookies out of the oven when they start to brown on top. They may look just slightly undercooked. Drop the cookie sheet on the counter (takes the air out of the cookies). Let them stay on the cookie sheet to rest for 3-5 minutes before removing from sheet. They should be nice and gooey inside. And the most important step: Enjoy! Tip: If you have time, refrigerate the dough overnight and bake the next day.

This might be surprising to hear from a text messaging company, but sometimes NO texting solution is better than the wrong one. Case in point: A Dialog Health employee had a medical test scheduled last week that their physician had booked over a month ago. This employee signed up for the practice's texting service to receive a reminder text and other updates for the appointment. No appointment reminder text ever came. When the employee arrived for the appointment, they were asked if they had anything to eat or drink in the previous 6 hours. They had just eaten lunch … because they had never received communication about not eating or drinking. The test had to be cancelled and rescheduled. This test had three technicians scheduled for an hour. We don't even want to know how much this no-go cost the facility. The Dialog Health employee drove 35 minutes to the facility. It was the definition of a lose-lose for the facility and patient, all because of poor communication. This employee asked who the facility used as a texting vendor and was not surprised to learn it was a "marketing texting platform" known for their outbound marketing … … but NOT patient communication. If someone signs up for texting for their appointment, they are expecting to receive text messages about their appointment. Don't disappoint your patients. It not only hurts satisfaction but costs your facility time and money. Instead, get the best texting platform built for healthcare .