The discussion featured insights from industry leaders:

• Syed Mohiuddin, SVP and Chief AI Transformation and Strategy Officer, United Health Group
• Stephen Nash, Co-Founder, Southern Pediatrics
• Guillaume de Zwirek, CEO and Co-founder, Artera

Moderated by Anthony Guerra, founder and editor-in-chief of healthsystemCIO, the panel explored the practical realities of deploying agentic AI, from high-level strategy to on-the-ground implementation. The discussion provides a roadmap for organizations attempting to optimize resources and achieve operational improvements without increasing headcount.

The Strategic Imperative for AI Agents

The panel agreed that the adoption of AI is no longer optional; it’s existential. De Zwirek noted that AI will fundamentally rewrite technology investments across healthcare. The primary driver is the need to solve persistent problems, such as administrative waste, clinician burnout, and disjointed patient communication.

Nash emphasized this point, stating that the goal should not be to deploy agents for their own sake, but to address “burning pains” within an organization. For his pediatric practice, this means tackling challenges in charting and patient communication.

Most of these early AI opportunities are concentrated around high-frequency, high-friction workflows.

In large enterprises, Mohiuddin noted, the scope for agentic AI extends to administrative and clinical domains alike. Agents can be designed to not only provide “explanations” of past events (such as claim denials or benefit questions) but also to execute “actions,” such as guiding users through next steps or supporting claims processing. These applications help reduce the processing time for tasks like care-gap outreach and benefit alternatives, moving population health initiatives forward at much greater speed and scale.

De Zwirek described practical success in using AI to reach large patient populations and drive high rates of successful scheduling. This would reduce weeks-long processes into a matter of seconds, further illustrating AI’s potential as a force multiplier.

Governance and Interoperability as Gating Factors

Scaling AI in healthcare requires discipline akin to workforce management rather than iterative software trials. Mohiuddin stressed that successful deployment depends on rigorous frameworks for governance, design, and observability, paralleling the thoroughness involved in hiring, onboarding, and monitoring new staff. Leaders must fully understand what their agents are tasked with, institute controls for their activities, and monitor performance continuously.

De Zwirek reinforced the necessity of preemptive risk reduction, designing real-time evaluation systems and drawing on best practices from AI-driven software development, where architecture and review processes are central to preventing errors from affecting workflows at scale.

Perhaps the most critical challenge to real-world implementation is interoperability. As the panel noted, even when vendors partner closely with health systems, integration often remains the customer’s responsibility, especially in fragmented provider landscapes. Agents need reliable, timely access to EHRs, practice management systems, and downstream platforms to be effective. De Zwirek’s experience highlighted why Artera invested in building robust internal integration capabilities, and cautioned that pursuing full in-house development is only viable for organizations with significant scale and resources.

Mohiuddin added that both “speed to start” and “speed to completion” matter; often, success hinges on the last mile of integration. Leaders should treat agentic AI initiatives as vital strategic investments tied to organizational priorities, competitive advantage, and the specialized needs of their teams.

Leadership, Workforce Readiness, and the Human Element

Technology alone isn’t enough. The panelists reminded listeners that successful AI adoption demands strong leadership, transparent communication, and cultural readiness. Nash advocated for clear internal messaging that connects new tools to tangible outcomes, supporting staff in understanding how AI solutions translate to less administrative overhead and more meaningful time with patients.

Workforce preparation is equally crucial. Mohiuddin recommended formal, hands-on training for leaders and technical teams so they move beyond awareness to genuine fluency. Broad-based education helps surface governance needs and inspires safe experimentation, positioning organizations to identify both opportunities and risks.

Webinar Takeaways for Healthcare IT and Application Leaders

Interoperability and data accessibility are prerequisites for success

Agentic AI’s utility is limited by an organization’s ability to connect systems and deliver timely data.

Start with high-friction, high-impact workflows

Workflows such as documentation, messaging, scheduling, and care-gap management are solid places to start. This is where outcomes are measurable and value is quickly demonstrated.

Establish governance at a level that matches operational risk.

Invest in robust evaluation, monitoring, and controls before agents move into production.

Plan for the last mile

Whether integrating tools, adapting workflows, or managing organizational change, realize that internal effort is required in parallel with any external partnership.

Build broad-based AI fluency and align adoption with staff and patient outcomes.

Invest in training, encourage open knowledge sharing, and keep a sharp focus on benefits to clinicians and patients alike.

The message is clear: AI-driven automation offers health systems a path through resource constraints and operational complexity, but optimization requires bringing together the right processes, technologies, and people. As de Zwirek urged, now is the time for healthcare leaders to learn, experiment, and help move the industry forward by sharing lessons and building momentum beyond early adopters.

To view the recording of this webinar, Maximizing Value, Minimizing Risk: Operationalizing an Agentic AI Strategy (Sponsored by Artera), please click here.

The post Operationalizing Agentic AI in Healthcare: A Webinar Recap appeared first on Artera.

In the high-stakes world of orthopedics, where speed to care and surgical readiness are paramount, standard automation is no longer enough. Today, leading practices are moving toward Agentic AI. By deploying intelligent AI Agents, orthopedic clinics can automate complex, multi-step care journeys, ensuring patients are supported from the first referral through post-operative recovery without increasing staff burden.

The Complex Challenges of Orthopedic Practices

Orthopedic care spans numerous subspecialties, including sports medicine, spine care, pediatric orthopedics and trauma. This diversity leads to common pain points, such as inefficient scheduling systems, incomplete patient data management and disjointed post-visit communications. These inefficiencies strain administrative staff, lead to patient dissatisfaction and negatively impact the bottom line.

For example, manual scheduling practices and lack of automation can result in delayed outreach to patients, underutilized appointment slots and no-shows. Limited coordination between primary care providers (PCPs) and orthopedic clinics often leaves patients unclear about their next steps for care. Combined with high transaction values and complex procedures like surgeries, orthopedic practices must be highly efficient to maintain operational excellence.

Amid all of this, fostering patient engagement is essential—not just to improve patient loyalty, but also to ensure better clinical outcomes through informed and active participation in care plans.

Strategies to Engage Orthopedic Patients Successfully

Here are key strategies orthopedic practices can adopt to improve patient engagement:

1. Streamline Patient Access with Autonomous Scheduling

Efficient scheduling is fundamental for a seamless patient experience. For orthopedic centers, that means going beyond traditional scheduling systems.

Given that orthopedic practices often deal with high-volume rescheduling and complex surgical waitlists, this is even more critical. Artera’s Scheduling Agents act as a 24/7 digital workforce, autonomously managing appointment lookups, cancellations, and rescheduling. Instead of just sending a link, these agents engage in dynamic conversations to fill last-minute cancellations, maximizing provider schedules and reducing the time patients wait for critical surgery.

Example: Artera’s ScheduleCare optimizes appointment utilization by automating scheduling workflows and freeing up staff from manual processes. Patients can self-schedule with ease, reducing missed appointments and increasing efficiency.

2. Ensure Surgical Readiness with Agentic Workflows

Timely and personalized pre-visit communication fosters trust and reduces confusion about appointment logistics and pre-visit preparation or instructions. Offering communication in multiple formats, such as text messages, emails or phone calls, ensures you meet each patient’s preferences.

By delivering pre-visit instructions via agentic workflows, you can ensure patient readiness, keep patients engaged across their entire journey and improve slot utilization. Not only that, but personalized messaging – driven by an AI-powered system – can automatically triage and respond to patient inquiries, so patients feel immediately supported along their journey.

Automated outreach also reduces gaps in care by proactively engaging patients for ortho-specific screenings, pre-visit instructions (e.g., no supplement intake 24-48 hours prior to visit) and satisfaction surveys.

Example: Artera enables orthopedic practices to deploy high-touch communication strategies through AI-powered workflows, ensuring patients get accurate and timely updates throughout their care journeys.

3. Provide Comprehensive Digital Intake Processes

A smooth intake process minimizes patient frustration and saves valuable staff time. Orthopedic clinics should offer digital solutions for pre-visit paperwork, screening forms and insurance verification. Clear upfront cost estimates also help patients feel financially prepared.

By digitizing every pre-visit step, clinics can reduce paperwork bottlenecks, improve accuracy, and shorten wait times at the front desk. Additionally, sending instructions for preparation (e.g., avoiding supplements before surgery) boosts adherence and ensures readiness for procedures.

Example: With tools like Artera Intake and Payments, orthopedic practices can provide customized digital intake forms, real-time eligibility checks and upfront financial transparency, empowering patients before their appointments.

4. Offer Payment Transparency and Automated Billing

Given that orthopedic services often involve costly surgeries and ongoing therapies, financial transparency is critical. Clear, upfront cost communication eliminates conflict and confusion, while automated billing reminders ensure faster payments.

Example: Artera’s payment solutions utilize digital reminders and self-service payment portals, improving financial workflows and reducing manual collection efforts.

5. Close the Loop with Post-Discharge & Care Gap AI Agents

Patient engagement doesn’t end when they leave the clinic. Post-visit communication is vital for ensuring adherence to care plans, scheduling follow-up appointments and monitoring recovery progress. Clinics should connect with patients via automated yet personalized follow-up messages, care instructions and feedback surveys to understand patient satisfaction and areas for improvement.

Example: Artera helps orthopedic clinics streamline this with automated post-visit care instructions and conversational messaging, creating a holistic patient experience that extends beyond the initial visit.

Elevating Orthopedic Patient Engagement with Artera’s AI Agents

Artera’s integrated AI solutions are purpose-built to address the complexities of orthopedic care. From digital scheduling and intake to financial transparency and post-visit follow-ups, Artera AI Agents equip clinics with tools that save staff time, enhance efficiency and boost revenue.

Why Should Orthopedic Practices Choose Artera for AI-Powered Communication?

Enhanced Patient Experience: Tailored workflows, personalized communication and educational outreach drive better engagement and outcomes.

Optimized Workflows: Automated scheduling, waitlist management and EHR integration reduce manual burdens on staff.

Improved Communication: AI-powered conversational messaging ensures timely and accurate patient interactions.

Revenue Recovery: With upfront cost estimates, automated billing and digital payment options, clinics collect revenue faster.

Proven Results with Artera

• 72% increase in patient response rates
• 50% conversion boost through waitlists
• 115+ hours of staff time saved weekly
• $2.1M average recovered annually due to fewer no-shows

When orthopedic practices use platforms like Artera to implement streamlined solutions, they not only improve operational efficiency but also create stronger, longer-lasting connections with their patients.

Transform Your Orthopedic Patient Engagement Today

Prioritizing patient engagement is no longer optional; it’s critical for modern orthopedic practices looking to stay competitive. By adopting innovative AI tools and strategies, you can create seamless journeys for your patients while driving real results for your practice.

Ready to see how Agentic AI can transform your orthopedic practice? Schedule a demo of Artera’s AI Agents today.

The post Enhancing Orthopedic Patient Engagement: Proven AI Strategies That Work appeared first on Artera.

What Is Patient Engagement Technology

Patient engagement technology refers to digital platforms and tools that enhance communication, collaboration, and interaction between patients and their healthcare providers. These solutions empower patients to play an active role in their healthcare journey, ultimately improving outcomes and satisfaction.

From AI-powered patient portals to mobile health apps, these technologies are widely used in hospitals, clinics, and physician offices. They simplify healthcare workflows, expand access to information, and support personalized, timely care.

Patient engagement technology also plays a critical role in helping healthcare providers stay competitive in an increasingly digital world. By enabling seamless and secure communication, these tools help organizations build trust, retain patients, and improve efficiency.

How Patient Engagement Technology Works

Modern patient engagement technology functions as a “digital front door” for healthcare organizations. It provides patients with a single, intuitive entry point to manage their care journey from beginning to end. This digital hub integrates various functions to create a seamless and cohesive experience.

The primary functions of this digital front door include:

Communication and Coordination

These tools facilitate secure, bidirectional communication between patients and providers. Features like HIPAA-compliant texting, AI-powered chatbots for instant answers, and virtual waiting rooms streamline interactions and ensure patients feel heard and supported. This establishes a reliable line of patient-provider communication.

Access to Information

EHR-connected patient portals and mobile apps give patients direct access to their health records, test results, and treatment plans. This transparency empowers them to be informed participants in their own care.

Self-Service and Convenience

Patient self-scheduling has become a cornerstone of modern healthcare, allowing individuals to book, reschedule, or cancel appointments online at their convenience. This is complemented by digital forms and automated intake and payment processes, which reduce administrative tasks and wait times.

Education and Support

Effective patient engagement strategies include providing timely and relevant information. Digital patient education campaigns can deliver pre-appointment instructions, post-procedure follow-ups, and chronic disease management tips directly to a patient’s preferred device and in their preferred language.

Personalization and Outreach

Not all patients are the same. Patient segmentation allows providers to tailor communication based on demographics, medical history, or communication preferences. Automated patient communication ensures this outreach is consistent and scalable, helping to close care gaps and encourage proactive care.

Monitoring and Tracking

For patients with chronic conditions, remote patient monitoring tools can transmit vital signs and other health data directly to their care team. This enables early intervention and continuous oversight, improving health outcomes.

Examples of Patient Engagement Technologies

Patient engagement platforms encompass a wide range of digital patient engagement tools. While some are standalone solutions, the most effective systems integrate these functions into a unified platform.

Here are some key patient engagement technologies:

Patient Portals and Mobile Health Apps

Secure online hubs where patients can access their medical records, communicate with their care team, request prescription refills, and view lab results.

Telehealth Platforms

Software that enables virtual consultations with providers through video or phone calls, expanding access to care regardless of a patient’s location.

AI-Powered Virtual Agents for Healthcare

Intelligent chatbots and voice assistants that can answer patient questions, help with scheduling, provide information, and triage inquiries 24/7.

Automated Appointment Reminders and Digital Scheduling

Systems that send automated patient appointment reminders via text, email, or voice call to reduce no-shows. Patient self-scheduling tools allow patients to book appointments online without staff intervention.

Remote Patient Monitoring Systems

Devices and applications that collect and transmit patient health data (e.g., blood pressure, glucose levels) to providers for continuous monitoring.

Digital Education and Support Tools

Platforms that deliver targeted educational content, such as videos, articles, and interactive guides, to help patients manage their conditions and prepare for procedures.

Benefits of Patient Engagement Technology

Implementing a robust patient engagement strategy delivers significant advantages for patients, providers, and healthcare organizations as a whole. These benefits extend beyond simple convenience, creating a tangible impact on care quality and operational success.

Improved Health Outcomes

When patients are active participants in their care, they are more likely to adhere to treatment plans and attend follow-up appointments. Proactive outreach helps close care gaps, leading to better management of chronic diseases and preventive care.

Enhanced Patient Satisfaction

A positive patient care experience is a key driver of loyalty. By offering convenient self-service tools and clear communication, organizations can improve patient satisfaction, which has many advantages, including higher retention rates.

Reduced Administrative Workload

Automation handles repetitive tasks like appointment reminders, intake, and scheduling. This frees up staff to focus on more complex, high-value patient interactions, reducing burnout and improving morale.

Increased Appointment Attendance and Patient Retention

Automated patient reminders are highly effective at reducing the patient no-show rate. A seamless and positive experience encourages patients to remain with a provider, preventing patient leakage.

Streamlined Workflows and Operational Efficiency

A unified patient communication infrastructure eliminates fragmented systems and manual processes. This streamlines everything from scheduling to billing, allowing practices to see patients more efficiently.

Stronger Provider-Patient Relationships

Consistent and accessible communication builds trust. When patients feel supported and informed, their relationship with their provider strengthens, leading to better collaboration and shared decision-making.

Common Challenges in Patient Engagement and How to Solve Them

Despite the clear benefits, healthcare organizations can face hurdles when implementing new patient engagement technologies. Addressing these challenges proactively is key to a successful deployment.

Low Technology Adoption

Patients may be hesitant to use new digital tools due to a lack of familiarity or trust.

The Solution? Choose a platform with a simple, user-friendly interface and provide patients with a Branded Messaging experience by including your logo, images, and information in the patient’s messaging app to enhance trust.

Fragmented Communication Systems

Using multiple, disconnected tools for different tasks creates a disjointed experience for both patients and staff.

The solution? Implement a unified platform that centralizes all patient communication. EHR integration is critical to ensure data flows seamlessly between systems, providing a single source of truth.

Language and Accessibility Barriers

A one-size-fits-all approach to communication can exclude non-English speakers or those with disabilities.

The Solution? Select a platform that offers robust multilingual patient communication capabilities. Ensure all digital tools meet accessibility standards so that every patient can engage effectively.

High No-Show Rates

Missed appointments disrupt schedules and result in lost revenue.

The solution? Deploy automated patient appointment reminders and offer easy patient self-scheduling options for rescheduling. AI agents can proactively reach out to unconfirmed patients to reduce no-shows even further.

Siloed Patient Data

When patient information is stored in different, unconnected systems, it is impossible to get a complete view of the patient journey.

The Solution? Prioritize patient communication systems with strong EHR integration and interoperability. This ensures data is consolidated, allowing for personalized outreach and better care coordination.

The Role of AI and Automation in Patient Engagement

Automation and artificial intelligence are changing patient engagement platforms. The evolution has moved from simple automated reminders to sophisticated AI-driven interactions that personalize the entire patient journey.

Initially, automation in patient engagement was limited to basic tasks like appointment reminders and mass messaging. Now, advanced AI has transformed these interactions into intelligent, responsive conversations. Modern AI agents for healthcare can manage complex dialogues and address detailed patient inquiries, personalizing the experience at every touchpoint.

Agentic AI in healthcare workflows have evolved immensely, guiding patients through everything from scheduling and intake to post-operative care. Instead of just responding to queries, agentic systems can proactively execute multi-step tasks. For example, Artera Flows Agents can manage referral workflows, handle pre-procedure prep, and conduct post-visit follow-ups without human intervention. This coordinated approach ensures no patient falls through the cracks.

Other key AI innovations include:

Voice AI and Multilingual Support

Voice AI for healthcare enables natural, conversational interactions over the phone, while advanced translation capabilities ensure communication is clear for every patient.

NextGen AI Solutions

These solutions use predictive personalization to anticipate patient needs and deliver relevant information at the right time.

AI-Powered Outreach

AI can identify patients who are overdue for preventive screenings or need chronic care management follow-ups, triggering automated outreach campaigns to close care gaps.

How Patient Engagement Technology Improves Outcomes

The ultimate goal of any healthcare technology is to improve patient outcomes. Patient engagement software achieves this in several measurable ways.

Predictive analytics can identify at-risk patient populations, allowing providers to intervene before a health issue escalates. For example, an AI-driven solution can flag patients with a high probability of missing a critical follow-up appointment, enabling staff to provide extra support. Automated outreach ensures patients adhere to medication schedules and treatment plans, which is crucial for managing chronic conditions.

Real-time analytics and feedback loops provide immediate insight into the patient experience. Sentiment analysis, an AI-powered feature, can automatically classify incoming messages to detect patient frustration or confusion, allowing staff to prioritize these conversations and respond with empathy. This data-driven approach allows organizations to continuously refine their patient engagement strategies for maximum impact.

Selecting the Right Patient Engagement Platform

Choosing the right patient engagement technology is a critical decision. The ideal solution should not only meet your current needs but also scale with your organization as it grows.

Here are key factors to consider when evaluating different platforms:

Integration with Existing Systems and EHRs

The platform must integrate seamlessly with your Electronic Health Record (EHR) to ensure a unified data flow and a single source of truth for patient information.

HIPAA Compliance and Data Security

Ensure the platform adheres to all HIPAA regulations for protecting patient health information. Look for robust security measures, including end-to-end encryption for HIPAA compliant texting to patients.

Multilingual Patient Communication

To serve a diverse patient population, the platform must support communication in multiple languages across all channels (text, email, voice).

Customization and Scalability

The software should be flexible enough to be tailored to your specific workflows and scalable enough to support your organization’s future growth.

Real-Time Reporting and Analytics

Look for a platform with a powerful analytics dashboard that provides actionable insights into key metrics like no-show rates, patient satisfaction, and staff efficiency.

AI-Driven Support for Staff and Patients

Evaluate the platform’s AI capabilities. Does it offer intelligent virtual agents, predictive analytics, and workflow automation to reduce administrative burden?

Unified Patient Communication Infrastructure

Avoid fragmented solutions. A single, unified platform that centralizes all patient interactions is more efficient for staff and provides a better experience for patients.

Why Artera AI Is a Leader in Patient Engagement

Artera is a leader in patient engagement, offering a unified platform trusted by over 1,000 healthcare organizations nationwide. The platform aims to elevate healthcare to the highest standard of customer service by streamlining communication and personalizing the patient journey at scale.

Annually, Artera sends 2.2 billion messages, achieves a 94% patient response rate, and helps providers reduce no-show rates to under 3%. Our comprehensive product suite manages the entire patient journey and includes Artera Harmony for unified communication, AI Agents for intelligent automation, Intake & Payments, Scheduling, Care Navigator for post-discharge communication, and Pulse Outreach for targeted campaigns.

Through the Artera Marketplace, the platform ensures proven interoperability with leading EHR and third-party vendors, fostering a connected and efficient healthcare ecosystem. Artera’s mission is to empower healthcare providers to deliver a superior patient experience by combining powerful technology with a deep understanding of healthcare workflows.

Future of Patient Engagement Technology

The future of patient engagement technology is predictive, personalized, and profoundly integrated. AI will continue to be the driving force behind this evolution. We can expect to see hyper-personalization powered by real-time data, where communication is tailored to an individual’s specific needs and preferences at that exact moment.

Agentic AI will evolve from task-oriented assistants into coordinated care companions that support patients throughout their entire healthcare journey. Interoperability will deepen, breaking down the remaining data silos between different platforms and providers. Ultimately, these advancements will further champion digital equity and patient preference, ensuring that every patient has the tools and support they need to manage their health effectively.

FAQs About Patient Engagement Technology

What are examples of patient engagement technology?

Examples include patient portals, mobile health apps, telehealth platforms, automated appointment reminders, online self-scheduling software, AI-powered virtual agents, and remote patient monitoring devices. These tools work together to create a comprehensive digital experience.

How does AI improve patient engagement?

AI improves patient engagement by personalizing communication at scale, automating routine tasks, and providing 24/7 support. AI agents can answer patient questions instantly, guide them through scheduling and intake, and use predictive analytics to identify at-risk patients for proactive outreach.

How can organizations measure patient engagement success?

Success can be measured through key performance indicators (KPIs) such as patient satisfaction scores, portal adoption rates, appointment show rates, digital intake completion rates, patient response rates to communications, and improvements in specific health outcomes.

What is the ROI of patient engagement platforms?

The ROI is significant and multifaceted. It includes increased revenue from reduced no-shows and improved patient retention, enhanced operational efficiency from staff time savings, and long-term value from better patient health outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

How secure is patient engagement technology?

Reputable patient engagement platforms are designed with robust security measures to protect sensitive patient data. This includes HIPAA compliance, end-to-end data encryption, secure data centers, and regular security audits to safeguard against unauthorized access.

What are the challenges in implementing these systems?

Common challenges include low patient or staff adoption, integration issues with existing EHRs, ensuring multilingual and accessible communication, and managing data from fragmented systems. These can be overcome by choosing a unified, user-friendly platform with strong integration capabilities.

The post Patient Engagement Technology: What It Is and Why You Need It appeared first on Artera.

This structured approach is not an accident; it’s the result of years of refinement, leveraging deep healthcare expertise and a commitment to customer success. Our process consistently delivers on-time deployments, typically within a 12-week timeline from kickoff to go-live, providing the predictability and reliability that complex IT environments demand.

What Makes the Artera Implementation Unique?

Our approach is built on a foundation of consistency, clear communication and comprehensive support. We’ve developed a system that combines strong internal processes with transparent, customer-facing resources to create a seamless experience.

Efficiency and Repeatability

We understand that your team’s time is valuable. Our implementation model is designed for maximum efficiency. By following a proven, repeatable timeline, we eliminate ambiguity and ensure that every milestone is met. This consistency means that regardless of your specific EMR or integration requirements, you can expect a predictable and well-managed ~12-week implementation journey. This process is so refined that it also applies to existing customers adding new Artera products, providing a familiar and efficient experience every time.

Detailed Implementation Guides

From the moment our partnership begins, you receive a detailed implementation guide. This comprehensive asset is your roadmap for the entire journey, from the initial kickoff meeting to the final go-live. It lays out every step, deliverable and meeting, so your team always knows what to expect and what’s required of them. This guide serves as a constant reference point, empowering your project leads and stakeholders with the information they need to manage the process internally.

According to one of our customers (via KLAS): 

“The vendor’s implementation document is phenomenal. It is the best I have seen in a while. The documentation is almost a handbook with details from interfaces to operational details to best practices and use cases from other organizations. It is very comprehensive.” 

The Structured Journey: From Signature to Go-Live

Our process is meticulously planned to ensure that parallel workstreams for operations and technology run smoothly, converging at key moments to keep the project on schedule.

Staffing and Project Kick-Off

Once a customer signs with Artera, our internal teams get to work. We staff your project with a dedicated Project Manager and Technical Project Lead–a leadership pair that remains with you from the beginning of the installation to the end, ensuring continuity and a deep understanding of your organization’s unique needs. We begin with a pre-kickoff discussion to align on goals before moving to a formal, large-scale kickoff meeting with all stakeholders.

Parallel Workstreams and Consistent Communication

Following the kickoff, we establish a regular cadence of communication. This includes weekly operational calls and separate weekly technical calls. This dual-track approach allows us to make progress on all fronts simultaneously.

• Operational Workstream: Focuses on how the platform will be configured and how workflows will be designed to optimize patient outreach. This includes design sessions and strategy discussions.
• Technical Workstream: Handles all integration and technical setup, ensuring seamless connectivity with your existing systems.

These parallel efforts continue throughout the duration of the project, including end-to-end testing and final production sign-off, ensuring a smooth and successful launch.

Powered by Healthcare and Project Management Expertise

A process is only as good as the people who execute it. Our Professional Services team is staffed with individuals with robust backgrounds in healthcare. Many have worked at EMR companies, within healthcare organizations, or have earned certifications from respected organizations like The Beryl Institute. This industry-specific knowledge is invaluable, as it allows us to understand the unique challenges and workflows within a healthcare environment.

All of our implementation resources are also carefully crafted by the Customer Education team, specifically Sally Maciel, who got her start at Artera six years ago as a Project Manager. Ultimately, we operate with a highly supported team approach. We have clear lines of escalation and conduct weekly project reviews with management to proactively identify and mitigate risks. This internal framework ensures that if issues arise, a robust support mechanism is already in place to address them swiftly, keeping your project on track and on schedule.

The results of this refined process are evident in our project metrics. Quarter over quarter, we consistently meet or exceed our 90-day implementation timeline: a testament to the effectiveness of our model.

Our partners recognize the difference. As one enterprise customer in the northeast shared:

“Your onboarding process has been stellar! We consistently highlight your team as the gold standard for customer onboarding among our other vendors. Your team has been exceptional – their expertise, responsiveness, and ability to guide conversations productively has made this partnership truly valuable.”

Beyond Go-Live: A Commitment to Ongoing Success

Our support does not end when your system goes live. We believe in empowering your team for long-term success. To that end, we provide a wealth of post-go-live resources to support your staff, including new hires who need to get up to speed.

These resources include:

• Artery Academy: A comprehensive e-learning platform with on-demand courses, empowering you to get the most out of the Artera platform. 
• Webinars: We host weekly webinars for continuing education, including specific sessions for new end-users and new enterprise administrators.
• Artera Knowledge Base: An extensive library of articles, guides and tutorials that your team can access anytime for self-service support.

This multi-department support structure, including dedicated leaders from our customer education team, ensures your entire organization is positioned for success long after the implementation is complete.

A Partnership Built on a Solid Foundation

The decision to adopt a new healthcare technology platform is often daunting. Crucially, the implementation process serves as your initial, and most vital, introduction to your new partner. At Artera, we have invested heavily in creating a process that is not only efficient and predictable but also supportive and empowering. Our blend of healthcare expertise, robust internal playbooks, comprehensive customer resources and a proactive project management style has created what many of our customers refer to as the “gold standard” for onboarding. We provide a centralized, seamless and secure implementation experience designed to help you achieve your goals from the very start.

The post Artera’s Gold Standard: A Deep Dive into Our Implementation Process appeared first on Artera.

While many general telecom providers offer basic tools for digital patient engagement, none provide the depth, privacy, or healthcare-specific capabilities that Artera delivers. Keep reading to learn why Artera is the top healthcare communication solution for patients and for providers seeking scalable, secure, and specialized solutions.

The Artera Platform: A Purpose-Built Healthcare Communication Platform Designed for Better Patient Outcomes

Artera stands apart because it was designed exclusively for healthcare communications. Unlike general telecom providers, which serve multiple industries with one-size-fits-all solutions (horizontal SaaS), Artera focuses solely on the healthcare sector (vertical SaaS). With over a decade of experience, it is uniquely positioned to address the intricate needs of healthcare providers and patients.

This healthcare-first approach is reflected in the platform’s specialized offerings, including:

• Pre-built healthcare workflow templates for essential tasks such as pre-visit preparation, chronic care messaging, and medication adherence.
  
• A tailored suite of tools that enhance digital patient engagement, simplifying how providers interact with patients throughout the care journey.
  
• Solutions designed to tackle healthcare-specific challenges like billing communication, vaccine outreach, and communication overload.

By focusing solely on healthcare, Artera empowers organizations to reduce inefficiencies, improve care coordination, and strengthen patient relationships at scale.

Healthcare Expertise That Powers Patient Communication Success

Artera is more than just a patient communication software. It’s a strategic partner for healthcare organizations. With over a decade of hands-on experience, we’ve developed a deep understanding of the operational and engagement challenges healthcare providers face daily. Our dedicated Customer Success team collaborates closely with organizations to build solutions that solve real-world healthcare communication challenges.

OurThis healthcare-specific expertise ensures we deliver tailored, ongoing support helping teams unlock the full value of the Artera platform. From fast onboarding to continuous optimization, our partnership model ensures healthcare teams achieve both operational efficiency and improved digital patient engagement.

Hear from our customers why they partner with Artera:

Fast Onboarding and Extensive Resources for Better Patient Communication

Time is critical in the healthcare industry, especially when integrating a new healthcare communication platform. Artera’s rapid onboarding process is engineered for speed and efficiency, enabling healthcare organizations to get started quickly with minimal disruption. This ensures providers and staff can focus on what matters most patient care.

“In terms of onboarding, the Artera system is so turnkey – as is the setup process and the team in place who was supporting us. We were surprised we were able to successfully implement in just four to six weeks. As far as technical changes go, it was seamless thanks to the efficient implementation process the Artera team sets up.”

– Caroline Hoy, Director of Marketing, Jane Pauley Community Health Centers

To support healthcare SaaS adoption and optimize operational outcomes, Artera offers a wealth of resources designed to boost staff productivity:

• Intuitive training materials accessible via Artera Academy and its comprehensive Knowledge Base.
  
• Pre-built, pre-validated templates designed for complex healthcare communication workflows.
  
• Ongoing expert support and training, including live educational webinars to address evolving needs.

By giving healthcare teams the right tools, Artera reduces administrative burdens and drives higher digital patient engagement outcomes.

How Artera Uses AI to Improve Patient Communication at Scale

One of Artera’s most powerful differentiators is its advanced use of artificial intelligence. These AI-driven tools are built into our healthcare communication platform, helping providers enhance digital patient engagement while reducing operational strain.

• AI Agents: These assistants automate repetitive tasks like scheduling, intake, and billing—allowing staff to focus on patient care while maintaining seamless support throughout the care journey.
  
• Flows Agents: Rule-based automation that adapts to healthcare workflows to improve communication and operational outcomes.
  
• AI Co-Pilots: These tools assist healthcare teams in responding faster to patients by offering instant translation, message summarization, and smart message shortening—enhancing the overall patient communication software experience.

Together, these AI tools enable healthcare organizations to communicate more effectively, manage workflows intelligently, and personalize the patient experience at scale.

Healthcare Communication Platform with Enterprise-Grade Security

In today’s highly regulated healthcare environment, data security is critical to patient trust and compliance. Artera is a healthcare communication platform designed from the ground up with robust InfoSec infrastructure to protect patient data and ensure compliance at scale.

We have an ongoing commitment to the highest standards for compliance, security and privacy. As a steward of your patients’ data, we know how important it is to ensure their information is protected and safe.

Key features of our security-first design include:

• SOC 2 Type 2, HITRUST Certification, and full HIPAA compliance for Virtual Agents
• No PHI or PII is ever used in training our AI models
• Industry-grade security protocols for all patient communication workflows

As healthcare providers navigate increasingly complex regulations, Artera provides the confidence and safeguards needed to protect patient privacy while maintaining efficient communication. Visit the Artera Trust Center for full transparency into our privacy and compliance practices.

Focused on Staff and Patients: Empowering Staff Efficiency and Enhancing Digital Patient Engagement

Another aspect that sets Artera apart is its balanced focus on both administrative efficiency and enriching the patient experience. With interactive, branded messaging, patients feel more connected and engaged. Features like embedded images, logos and forms ensure every message is professional and personalized, fostering trust and building loyalty.

For staff, Artera’s tools help reduce friction across tasks. Pre-built workflows and templates allow providers to send clear, concise communications to patients without added manual effort. These efficiencies translate into reduced burnout, higher productivity and improved morale.

Seamless EHR Integration and Data-Driven Patient Analytics

Artera’s healthcare communication platform is designed for deep, seamless integration with EHRs, CRMs, and patient-facing vendors. Our integration-first architecture uses API, FHIR, and HL7v2 protocols to streamline data exchange across systems eliminating silos and enabling connected patient experiences.

With this interoperability in place, healthcare organizations can unify communication across platforms, boosting coordination, improving efficiency, and enhancing the quality of care.

Beyond integrations, Artera delivers actionable analytics to help teams optimize their digital patient engagement strategies. From message deliverability to patient responses and appointment confirmations, Artera provides insights that enable smarter, data-driven decisions ultimately driving better patient outcomes and operational performance.

“From an executive perspective, the rich pool of data available in Artera enables us to closely monitor patient engagement in the form of response rates to link clicks and more, helping us glean operational insights to improve staff efficiency and patient experience.” 

-Patrick Wooten, CIO, Jane Pauley Community Health Center

Why Healthcare Providers Trust Artera for Patient Communication

With over a decade of experience, Artera has emerged as the most trusted healthcare communication platform for providers seeking advanced, purpose-built tools. Unlike general telecom providers offering generic solutions, Artera delivers tailored technology that aligns with the complex workflows of healthcare organizations.

Key platform advantages include:

• A healthcare-first approach designed for both patients and providers.
• Streamlined onboarding and vast resource libraries for staff.
• Powerful, AI-driven patient communication software to improve engagement and reduce administrative friction.
• Enterprise-grade security and compliance to protect sensitive healthcare data.
• A highly experienced Customer Success team focused solely on healthcare SaaS support.

By aligning with healthcare’s unique operational demands, Artera empowers providers to enhance efficiency, drive engagement, and improve care outcomes.

For healthcare organizations aiming to improve digital patient engagement, Artera stands as more than just software — it’s a strategic partner. To learn how Artera can transform your patient communication strategy, visit Artera.io.

The post What Makes Artera the Leading Healthcare Communication Solution for Patients appeared first on Artera.

However, for many providers, trust is steadily eroding, affecting response rates, patient engagement and outcomes. With the influx of scam texts, unverified messages and impersonal communication, patients are wary of every message they receive, often dismissing them as spam. The result? Missed appointments, unaddressed health concerns and a growing gap in the provider-patient relationship.

But there’s good news. With strategic tools like Artera’s Branded Messaging and AI-powered patient engagement solutions, providers can rise above the noise, rebuild patient trust and improve response rates. By creating a recognizable, secure and branded communication experience, providers can create meaningful connections with their patients.

Why Trust in Healthcare (and Patient Communication) is Dwindling

Trust in the healthcare industry is dwindling. Patient communication could play a factor in this: while text messaging is one of the most direct and powerful ways to reach patients today, the rise of spam and short-code messages has transformed this once-reliable communication channel into a cause of frustration for many. Consider these key statistics from our latest Trends in Patient Engagement report:

• 71% of patients report an increase in texts from unfamiliar numbers, which often seem like scams.
• 87% are less likely to read messages from numbers they don’t instantly recognize.
• 56% miss critical healthcare communications due to confusion about the sender.

Patients are inundated with irrelevant or untrustworthy content, leaving them skeptical of messages even from legitimate healthcare providers. This breakdown in communication impacts everything from appointment attendance to adherence to care plans, ultimately harming both patient outcomes and provider revenue.

For healthcare providers, the stakes couldn’t be higher. It’s time to regain trust and deliver communication that truly resonates.

What Is Branded Messaging?

Branded messaging is the next level of sending SMS notifications to patients. It elevates patient communication by incorporating institution-specific branding elements, such as logos, custom images and a recognizable sender name. These visual cues immediately signal reliability and professionalism, distinguishing a provider’s messages from spam or generic short-code texts. Healthcare organizations also gain the ability to send interactive and personalized notifications, supporting a more cohesive and patient-friendly experience.

Artera’s Branded Messaging feature exemplifies these capabilities. The service integrates features like end-to-end encryption for secure communications, link previews for added interactivity and Wifi-enabled messaging to ensure delivery under varying conditions. With such robust features, healthcare providers can move beyond outdated communication methods to foster meaningful engagement.

How Branded Messaging Restores Patient Engagement and Trust in Healthcare

1. Custom Branding Improves Message Reception

Think about the overwhelming influx of messages patients receive daily—from telemarketers, subscription services and even fraudulent actors. For many, any message from an unverified sender is immediately dismissed.

With Branded Messaging, each message includes your organization’s logo, name and relevant imagery. This personalization reassures patients about the sender’s identity, fostering trust and encouraging engagement.

Messages might include: Pre-surgery preparation instructions from a trusted, verified source or appointment reminders with your clinic’s branding and direct response options.

According to our latest Trends in Patient Engagement Report, 87% of patients are less likely to engage with unfamiliar numbers, yet 89% are more likely to interact when they see a branded, trusted sender.

By using recognizable sender information and including healthcare-specific branding, patients are able to quickly identify that a message is authentic and important. When patients trust the content of messages, they are far more likely to read, respond and take action, such as attending an appointment or completing pre-visit paperwork.

2. Use of Recognizable 10-Digit Numbers

Patients are far more likely to trust and engage with messages from long-code phone numbers, as they perceive them as legitimate.

• 89% of patients prefer messages from a known number over anonymous short codes.
• Providers using recognizable numbers see a 79% improvement in response rates compared to short codes.

Artera enhances personalization by enabling providers to tailor messages based on patient demographics, appointment types or department-specific goals. For instance, a patient coordinating follow-up care with an orthopedic specialist can receive branded texts providing step-by-step instructions for recovery. Not only does this offer convenience, but it also instills confidence in the provider’s expertise.

3. Interactive Elements Foster Trust in Healthcare

Branded Messaging also goes beyond static communication by incorporating interactive features:

• Secure link previews for accessing detailed instructions or payments.
• Read receipts so providers know the message has been delivered and engaged with.
• End-to-end encryption ensuring patient data remains private and protected.

By blending technology with trust, Branded Messaging transforms routine notifications into meaningful, two-way conversations – which is what patients are seeking.

Our Trends in Patient Engagement Report notes that 64% of patients prefer conversational, two-way interactions over basic automated texts. This isn’t surprising—charming, conversational messaging creates a sense of care and empathy, values that patients expect from their providers.

The Impact of Trustworthy Messaging on Patient Response Rates

The benefits of building trust and improving patient communication extend beyond patient engagement. Here are just a few measurable outcomes from adopting Branded Messaging and verified strategies:

Higher Response Rates: Patients are more likely to act on messages they trust. From confirming appointments to following pre- or post-care instructions, trusted communication simplifies the path to compliance.

Greater adherence & improved health outcomes: When patients trust their providers, they are more likely to attend appointments, complete instructions, adhere to care plans and even pay their bill on time. This reduces preventable health issues and creates a positive care experience.

Stronger Provider-Patient Relationships: Trust in healthcare is integral to building loyalty. According to our latest Trends in Patient Engagement report, 63% of patients are willing to switch providers who don’t meet their communication expectations. When providers invest in better patient engagement tools, they create relationships that last.

How You Can Take Action Today

The path to improving engagement starts with intentional communication strategies and trust-building tools. Here’s how you can begin:

1. Optimize Your Communication Channels

Ensure every SMS or email you send originates from a recognizable number and incorporates your branding. Patients should recognize and trust your messages at first glance.

2. Invest in Branded Messaging

Implement tools like Artera’s Branded Messaging to transform communication from transactional to relational. From appointment reminders to personalized care updates, Branded Messaging delivers a seamless and trusted patient experience.

3. Explore AI-Powered Tools

Artificial Intelligence is a game changer in healthcare. AI-driven agents can triage patient inquiries, handle routine tasks and allow staff more time to engage in meaningful, human-centered care.

4. Measure and Iterate

Track key metrics like response rates, patient satisfaction and missed appointments. Use this data to refine your strategies and identify new opportunities for growth.

Build Patient Trust, Build Better Care

Patients today expect communication that mirrors the experiences they have in retail, travel and banking. When providers can rise to meet these expectations, the results speak for themselves. Enhanced response rates, improved engagement and better health outcomes are all within reach when trust forms the foundation of communication.

Want to learn more about how you can improve patient trust and engagement? Check out Artera’s Branded Messaging solution, here.

The post Branded Messaging: The Secret to Greater Response Rates and Trust in Healthcare appeared first on Artera.

Vanderbilt’s latest study highlighted the impact of Artera for streamlining post-discharge communication, empowering care teams and delivering measurable results. This blog will explore the key elements of Vanderbilt’s initiative, highlighting why post-discharge communication is vital, how the DCC utilized Artera and the outcomes that followed. By the end, you’ll gain actionable insights into how your healthcare organization can adopt these strategies to improve both clinical outcomes and operational efficiency.

About the Study

Vanderbilt University Hospital’s Discharge Care Center (DCC) was born from a desire to bridge the critical gap between inpatient care and at-home recovery. Hospitals frequently encounter unplanned hospital readmissions, often caused by breakdowns in communication and follow-up after discharge. The DCC was designed as a solution to this, leveraging both specialized personnel and technology to address patients’ post-discharge needs effectively.

Key elements of the DCC initiative included a multidisciplinary care coordination team, automated risk-based patient monitoring and a post-discharge communication strategy tailored to the diverse needs of Vanderbilt’s patient population. Over two years (October 2021 – October 2023), the DCC provided follow-up care for more than 80,000 discharges and intervened in over 57,000 critical cases. With a sustained reduction in the hospital’s 30-day readmission rates—from 10.6% to 9.9%—the program proved to be a resounding success.

But what truly set Vanderbilt apart was its emphasis on leveraging Artera, a robust patient communication platform, for post-discharge communication. Artera made these outcomes possible by automating outreach, providing real-time insights and enabling seamless communication with patients, all while reducing operational burdens on hospital staff.

The Importance of Post-Discharge Communication

Discharge is a pivotal moment in the patient care continuum. For patients, it marks the shift from the structured support of a hospital stay to self-directed care at home. For hospitals, it represents an opportunity to ensure continuity of care and minimize preventable readmissions.

Despite the critical nature of clear, effective communication with patients post-discharge, it is often overlooked. Here are some ways post-discharge communication can bridge the gaps:

1. Enhancing Patient Safety: Automated follow-ups help identify issues like medication errors, unmanaged symptoms or unfulfilled home-care needs before they escalate.
2. Empowering Patients: Patients are more likely to adhere to care plans when they feel supported. Timely reminders about medications, follow-up appointments and lifestyle changes can make a measurable difference.
3. Reducing Operational Costs: Avoiding readmissions not only spares patients the physical and mental burden of returning to the hospital, but also significantly reduces financial penalties for hospitals under value-based care models.

How Vanderbilt Used Artera for Post-Discharge Communication

Artera was the technological backbone supporting Vanderbilt’s Discharge Care Center for automated communication. In the study, the automated texting and calling continued throughout the first 30 days post-discharge, with standard content for all patients. Here’s how the platform powered post-discharge communication:

• Day 0: The initial automated text message is sent 1 hour after the discharge order is placed. For patients indicating a preference for a telephone call, the first call is placed the following day.
• Day 1 Post-Discharge: Receive a text message about medications
• Day 2 Post-Discharge: Receive a message inquiring about outpatient follow-up
• Day 3 Post-Discharge: Receive a message verifying receipt of any clinician-ordered durable medical equipment or home health services.

To monitor for new or worsening symptoms, the text messages continued every 2 to 3 days for the first 15 days, followed by every 5 days, for a total of 12 messages across 30 days. If the patient responded to the texts or calls indicating they had a need, two-way communication was initiated. Depending on the type and complexity of help needed, concerns were then addressed by the Triage Team or the Care Coordination Team.

Key Findings from Vanderbilt’s Study

The Discharge Care Center (DCC) at Vanderbilt University Hospital, enhanced by Artera’s automated communication tools, addressed over 80,000 hospital discharges during its first two years. This initiative reduced the hospital’s 30-day unplanned readmission rate from 10.6% to 9.9%, representing a 6.6% relative reduction in just two years. With an average readmission cost of $15,200 per occurrence, this reduction translated into avoiding approximately $2.9 million annually in healthcare costs.

According to the authors of the study, “Applying the readmission rate reduction (10.6% to 9.9%) to our postintervention population, we estimate that there was an average of 197 fewer readmissions per year at our hospital during this 2-year period, compared with the period before the program rollout.”

Artera played a central role in this success. Its automated messaging capabilities allowed for timely and personalized follow-up with patients, enabling proactive outreach and rapid responses to patient needs. Over 97% of discharged patients remained engaged with the DCC program beyond the first message, with 73% actively participating throughout the entire 30-day period. These interactions fostered trust, improved adherence to care plans and flagged potential complications early.

Here are other standout metrics from the study:

• 57,352 clinically relevant interventions were carried out post-discharge.
• 29% of discharges required intervention, with higher rates for patients categorized as high-risk.
• The program handled more than 3,200 patients at any given time, highlighting its scalability and efficiency.

Through collaborations between DCC’s Triage Team and Care Coordination Team, Vanderbilt managed to prioritize resources effectively and provide personalized, round-the-clock care to discharged patients.

A Scalable Model for Healthcare Organizations

Vanderbilt’s implementation demonstrates how a combination of automation and human intervention can create a robust post-discharge care strategy. Here are some elements other hospitals can emulate:

1. Automation with Personalization

By automating routine follow-ups, Vanderbilt allowed clinical staff to concentrate on complex cases requiring hands-on care. Text message prompts about medication adherence or follow-up visits served as low-cost yet high-impact interventions.

2. Risk-Stratified Care

Using a predictive algorithm, Vanderbilt identified high-risk patients who received additional attention, such as personalized calls. This targeted approach ensured that resources were allocated efficiently, maximizing the DCC’s impact.

3. Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The program’s Triage Team (RNs responding to immediate patient concerns) and Care Coordination Team (pharmacists and social workers addressing deeper needs) worked seamlessly to prevent gaps in care.

4. Continuous Feedback Loops

Regular quality review meetings allowed staff to adapt the program dynamically based on identified gaps or patient feedback, ensuring continuous improvement.

Bringing It All Together

Vanderbilt’s use of Artera demonstrates that when healthcare organizations prioritize post-discharge communication, the results are profound. Lower readmission rates, enhanced patient safety and improved satisfaction aren’t just achievable––they’re actionable goals for hospitals willing to innovate. To read the full Vanderbilt University Hospital study, check it out here.

If your organization is grappling with high readmissions or patient satisfaction challenges, adopting a similar strategy could be transformational. By leveraging technology for personalized, proactive care, hospitals can redefine what it means to support patients beyond the bedside.

Are you ready to take the first step in improving post-discharge outcomes? Explore how automated communication tools like Artera Care Navigator can complement your existing operations and set a new standard of care.

The post How Vanderbilt University Hospital Tackled Readmission Rates By Leveraging Artera for Post-Discharge Communication appeared first on Artera.

By delivering tailored messaging and seamless patient interactions, Artera empowers organizations to boost care outcomes and improve operational efficiency. Discover why choosing a patient engagement software built specifically for healthcare can transform communication and deliver measurable value to care teams.

Understanding the Unique Needs of a Patient Communication Solution for Healthcare

Healthcare organizations operate within an environment that’s fundamentally different from other industries. Communication here isn’t just about staying connected; it’s about ensuring that patients receive the right information at the right time, all while adhering to strict regulatory and compliance requirements.

Below are just a few ways healthcare-specific platforms must address communication challenges:

1. Stringent Regulations and Security Requirements
   With HIPAA compliance and strict privacy laws in place, healthcare organizations must rely on a patient communication solution that is designed to meet healthcare-specific security standards. Many general-purpose platforms fall short in maintaining the level of data protection required for sensitive patient information.
2. High Stakes for Patient Outcomes
   A missed message or unclear communication can jeopardize care. From appointment scheduling software to care plan updates, platforms must deliver timely, personalized messages that directly impact health outcomes.
3. Workflow Complexity
   Healthcare involves multifaceted processes, from chronic condition care coordination to pre and post visit workflows. These require automation, customization, and deep integration with EHRs capabilities general platforms often lack.
4. Elevated Patient Expectations
   Patients expect fast, accurate, and engaging interactions. A healthcare-specific platform must support multilingual messaging, branded experiences, and seamless touchpoints across SMS, email, and voice channels.

Artera meets these demands by providing purpose-built tools that go beyond generic messaging platforms to deliver truly effective healthcare communication.

How Artera’s Healthcare-Specific Platform Solves Communication Challenges

What sets Artera apart is its purpose-built approach to solving the complex communication needs of healthcare. As a dedicated patient communication solution, Artera is engineered to support healthcare-specific requirements with precision, security, and personalization.

Tailored Healthcare Workflows for Communication Efficiency

A defining feature of Artera’s platform is its pre-validated, appointment scheduling software and communication workflows. Designed with insights from over 900 healthcare organizations, these tools are fine-tuned to support high-impact use cases like chronic condition care coordination, intake, and post-visit engagement. This dramatically reduces staff burden and improves consistency across patient communications.

• Appointment Scheduling and Reminders
  Patients automatically receive reminders about upcoming appointments, significantly reducing no-show rates. Scheduling workflows also include rescheduling options, streamlining the process for both patients and staff.
• Chronic Condition Management
  Communication workflows are in place to guide patients through the complexities of managing ongoing conditions like diabetes or COPD. These touchpoints include reminders for regular check-ups, medication adherence and lifestyle management tips.
• Pre- and Post-Visit Engagement
  Pre-visit workflows ensure patients are prepared for their appointments, minimizing delays and frustration. Post-visit workflows follow up with patients to provide care instructions, satisfaction surveys or health reminders.

This ready-to-deploy library eliminates the need for healthcare staff to design communication workflows from scratch, saving considerable time and effort.

All-in-One Patient Communication Solution for End-to-End Access

With Artera, healthcare providers can deliver a fully integrated experience to their patients as  our products and features are designed to cover everything from acquisition and onboarding to referrals and loyalty, allowing for a comprehensive and tailored approach to patient care.

Our integrated suite of solutions – powered by Artera Harmony – works together to unify self-scheduling, digital intake, billing and patient communications. From pre- to post-visit, our solutions equip you with the tools to create an exceptional and integrated patient experience. These include: 

• Artera ScheduleCare: Improve access to care with patient self-scheduling (web, phone & mobile)
  • One healthcare provider saw a 63% increase in online appointment bookings after implementing Artera ScheduleCare
• Artera Intake: Automatically capture patient information, medical history and demographics
• Artera Payments: Capture revenue faster by enabling pre-visit and in-clinic payment options

Above all, Artera offers customizable, dynamic personalization in its patient communication offerings. Patients can be reached in their preferred communication channel – SMS, email or voice – and unlike generic communication platforms, Artera enables healthcare providers to use branded messaging that includes logos, images and verified sender information, creating a professional and trustworthy experience for patients.

AI-Enhanced Patient Communication Software Built for Healthcare

Artera leverages the power of artificial intelligence across its virtual agent offerings to simplify and enhance communication, specifically designed for healthcare-related workflows. For example:

• AI Co-Pilots: Our AI Co-Pilots help staff respond faster and more accurately to patient inquiries with automatic language translation, message shortening, conversation summaries and much more.
• Flows Agents: Flows Agents can tackle endless use cases, such as streamlining patient surveys, care gap closure, post-discharge follow-up and so many more. 
• AI Agents: Artera’s AI agents handle a variety of routine tasks, from scheduling to intake and billing. 

Proven Results with Artera’s Healthcare-Specific Solution

For example: In just two months, Beauregard Health System deployed full mammography and colorectal patient communication campaigns via Artera Flows Agents, leading to: 

• 18% gap closure in mammogram screenings
• 13% gap closure in colorectal screenings (both Cologuard and colonoscopy) 
• 2 weeks of staff time saved 

“From conception to deployment, these campaigns came together so quickly – it really is so easy to learn Conversation Flows!” – Nicole Clanton, Pop Health Coordinator, Beauregard Health 

Proven Benefits of a Healthcare-Specific Patient Communication Solution

The value of aligning your communication tools with the specific needs of healthcare and patients is evident in the benefits Artera delivers:

1. Improved Patient Outcomes
   Patients are more likely to follow through with prescribed treatments, attend appointments and feel supported when communication is clear and personalized.
2. Enhanced Staff Efficiency
   Pre-built workflows, AI tools and automation reduce administrative burdens, enabling staff to focus on delivering care rather than managing communication logistics.
3. Reduced Communication Errors
   Tailored workflows minimize the chances of mistakes, such as incorrect scheduling or missed patient follow-ups.
4. Streamlined Compliance
   Artera’s platform is designed to meet healthcare’s strict regulatory standards, ensuring that communication remains secure and compliant.
5. Stronger Patient Engagement
   Engaged patients who experience seamless communication are more likely to trust their healthcare providers and remain loyal long-term.

According to Gartner, the average SMS response rate in healthcare is just 45%. In contrast, providers using Artera’s healthcare-specific communication platform experience a remarkable 70.5% response rate. This improvement is driven by Artera’s ability to support customized messaging, verified long codes, and communication in over 109 languages, aligning with patient preferences and boosting engagement rates well above industry standards.

Artera Delivers ROI to Healthcare Providers

With more than a decade of exclusive focus on healthcare communication software, Artera delivers unmatched domain expertise. Its in-depth understanding of clinical workflows enables the platform to provide healthcare-specific tools that improve both patient outcomes and operational ROI. Hospitals, clinics, and care centers benefit from Artera’s ability to align software functionality with real-world healthcare challenges.

By using Artera’s patient communication solution, organizations typically see:

• 20% Decrease in No-Shows
• 40% Increase in Operational Efficiencies
• 17% Decrease in Call Volume
• 58% Decrease in Hold Times

• 72% Reduction in Staff Time
• $1.6M Recouped Per Use Case
• 70.3 % Engagement Rate

Want to see how much staff time and dollars you can save with Artera? Check out our Value Calculator to receive a personalized report.

The complexity and stakes of healthcare communication demand more than a general-purpose telecom solution. Artera’s purpose-built platform is not only tailored to address regulatory needs, patient engagement challenges, and intricate workflows; it’s also designed to deliver real results for healthcare organizations.With proven benefits like improved outcomes, enhanced staff efficiency, and regulatory compliance, Artera exemplifies how specialization creates unmatched value. If your organization is ready to redefine communication and elevate patient care, book a demo with us today.

The post The Key to Effective Patient Communication? Leveraging A Healthcare-Specific Solution Stack appeared first on Artera.

This post explores what Expanse Patient Connect is, how MEDITECH customers can strategically scale it across service lines and where you can learn more to maximize its benefits.

What is Expanse Patient Connect, Powered by Artera?

MEDITECH’s communication hub – Expanse Patient Connect, Powered by Artera – enables conversational SMS messaging between healthcare organizations and their patients. Expanse Patient Connect, the only fully integrated solution with MEDITECH’s MyHealth patient portal, is leveraged by customers to:

• Keep patients and their families connected to their care
• Improve provider efficiency
• Reduce staff workload

In addition to secure two-way messaging, some key features within Expanse Patient Connect include broadcast and campaign messaging, virtual waiting rooms, multilingual translations and reminders in over 100+ languages, pre-registration and portal reminders, instant booking automations, AI Virtual Agents and more.

By connecting your organization and patients seamlessly, Expanse Patient Connect not only builds patient loyalty but also improves internal workflows, reduces appointment no-shows and ultimately enhances your bottom line.

Why Should You Scale Expanse Patient Connect? 

Effective patient engagement begins and ends with seamless communication, extending across every aspect of an organization and every stage of the patient journey. If you’ve already implemented Expanse Patient Connect for a specific use case, now is the time to maximize your investment. By fully leveraging the platform, you can enhance your return on investment while driving meaningful improvements in patient engagement and overall patient experience.

Scaling Expanse Patient Connect across an organization allows for a seamless and consistent communication strategy that improves patient experiences and operational efficiency. By expanding its use, organizations can unify messaging, reduce manual administrative tasks and ensure that every service line leverages the full potential of automated communication tools. This holistic adoption fosters better engagement at every stage of the patient journey, from appointment reminders to post-care follow-ups, ultimately driving satisfaction and loyalty while optimizing internal workflows.

Our team of experts and customer service teams stand ready to help MEDITECH customers scale and deploy Expanse Patient Connect. To this day, we have helped over 100 organizations go live with Expanse Patient Connect…and we have learned some lessons from a variety of customer deployments along the way.

How to Effectively Scale Expanse Patient Connect at Your Organization

Scaling a powerful solution like Expanse Patient Connect requires thoughtful planning and a phased approach. Here’s how MEDITECH customers can effectively scale it across their organization:

1. Start with a Single Service Line (Pilot) 

Rather than overwhelming your team with a full-scale rollout, begin with a single service line to understand the platform’s functionalities better. This allows for identifying and addressing challenges before scaling further. 

2. Customize Communication 

One of the unique advantages of Expanse Patient Connect is its flexibility. Healthcare providers can tailor workflows and communication styles to meet the unique needs of each service line. Consider standardizing operational workflows while customizing patient-facing communication, such as:

• Imaging Services: Include referral status updates and pre-authorization details, ensuring patients are informed from the start.
• Endoscopy Services: Deliver detailed, specialty-specific preparatory instructions two days before the procedure.

Customizing content this way not only improves patient satisfaction but also ensures operational efficiency.

3. Prepare to Deploy Across New Service Lines  

a. Build a Strong Training Program

Effective scaling requires buy-in from staff, and a robust training program plays a critical role. Develop a preceptor program within your clinics to empower team members with technical training. Many of our customers ensure each specialty has at least one lead scheduler trained on Expanse Patient Connect. These lead schedulers served as in-house experts, cascading knowledge to their teams.

Consistent check-ins with staff are equally important. Encourage input and feedback to constantly refine and optimize platform use.

b. Standardize While Allowing for Adaptability

A balanced approach to standardization ensures that processes are consistent while leaving room to address the unique needs of various departments. For example:

• Standardize IT workflows for platform integration across all service lines.
• Customize messaging frequency based on the specific requirements of a department or specialty.

This approach avoids one-size-fits-all solutions and allows departments to operate efficiently while still catering to their unique challenges.

4. Deploy Across New Service Lines 

You are now well-positioned to deploy Expanse Patient Connect across new service lines. With proven success in the pilot and current operations, the foundation has been set to scale and adapt to other areas, bringing the same level of innovation and efficiency.

5. Expand to Additional Use Cases Gradually

Once you’ve successfully implemented the system for various service lines, consider expanding to additional use cases:

• Enhance referral communication for external facilities.
• Leverage patient surveys for marketing insights to understand patient preferences.
• Provide real-time facility maps for larger campuses to improve navigation.
• Conduct targeted population health & preventative care outreach to close gaps in care
• Follow up with patients who have outstanding balances to recoup revenue

This gradual expansion ensures sustainable growth while maintaining system performance and employee confidence.

6. Use Feedback to Continuously Improve

The success of Expanse Patient Connect relies on iterative improvements. Regularly collect feedback from staff and patients to identify areas for optimization, whether it’s improving user-friendliness, enhancing communication templates, or introducing new functionalities.

MEDITECH customers have found immense value in soliciting feedback through regular check-ins with staff. This ensures the system evolves to meet the needs of both users and patients effectively.

Unlock the Full Potential of Expanse Patient Connect

Scaling Expanse Patient Connect is a process that requires strategy, training and customization. By adopting a phased approach, you can successfully integrate this platform across your organization, ensuring both patient and staff satisfaction.

Scaling patient communication tools like Expanse Patient Connect is more than just an operational improvement; it’s an investment in better healthcare experiences for everyone.

To get started and take your patient communication strategy to the next level, visit MEDITECH’s Expanse Patient Connect. You’ll find resources, examples and guidance to help make your rollout smooth and impactful.

The post How To Unlock the Full Potential of MEDITECH’S Expanse Patient Connect, Powered by Artera appeared first on Artera.

That’s why Artera’s healthcare communication onboarding process is designed for speed, simplicity, and scale. With a fast-track implementation model and a comprehensive training ecosystem, Artera helps healthcare organizations achieve faster time-to-value. From the moment you onboard, your team gains access to powerful tools and expert support designed to enhance workflow efficiency and elevate the patient experience.

Quick and Hassle-Free Healthcare Communication Onboarding

A seamless onboarding experience lays the foundation for long-term success, as it’s really the first step in the adoption process of any new technology – and is likely to be completed in the first few weeks with a vendor. During the first few weeks with Artera, the dedicated onboarding team assists with:

• Location mapping structure configuration
• Client orientation
• VPN connectivity setup
• Introductory staff training sessions

Recognizing the demands on care teams, Artera accelerates time-to-value with a streamlined approach. Our onboarding process is completed within the first 30 days and includes technical support tailored specifically for healthcare staff training platforms, so teams can stay focused on patient care, not platform adoption delays.

• Streamlined Healthcare Communication Onboarding and Setup: Artera simplifies implementation with streamlined workflows and clearly defined steps tailored for healthcare communication onboarding. From the initial deployment phase to full user access configuration, the platform is designed to integrate effortlessly with existing EHR systems and patient platforms.
• Specialized Onboarding for Patient Platforms: Our Professional Services team experts in healthcare workflow support partners closely with new clients to optimize the launch process. This includes setup for role-based access, customized template creation, and alignment with operational goals. Once live, the Customer Success for health systems team ensures continued progress through tailored support and training.
• Healthcare Staff Training Platform with Intuitive UX: Designed as a healthcare staff training platform, Artera’s interface reduces the learning curve with its intuitive layout and user-friendly design, allowing staff to become proficient without disruption to patient care.

Healthcare Workflow Support & Staff Enablement Tools

Beyond quick onboarding, Artera offers a wealth of resources that ensure teams can fully harness the platform’s power. With tools designed to support education, troubleshooting and process optimization, Artera empowers healthcare staff to work smarter, not harder.

Artera Academy: A Leading Healthcare Staff Training Platform

A cornerstone of Artera’s healthcare communication onboarding ecosystem is Artera Academy, a premier healthcare staff training platform. With over 10,000 healthcare professionals enrolled, it demonstrates its powerful role in driving platform adoption and improving staff proficiency. Designed specifically for training staff on healthcare messaging software, Artera Academy helps providers and teams gain platform mastery while supporting compliance and operational readiness.

• Self-Paced Training for Healthcare Messaging Software: Artera Academy delivers onboarding for patient platforms through over 20 self-guided courses. These include platform overviews, campaign setup, and patient communication strategies, allowing staff to learn at their own pace within a busy clinical environment.
  
• Multiformat Healthcare Training Content: Whether through videos, articles, or interactive simulations, this healthcare staff training platform supports diverse learning styles to promote deeper engagement and skill development.
  
• Recognized Certification for Healthcare Staff: After course completion, learners receive digital certificates that validate their knowledge and help standardize healthcare workflow support across departments.

Knowledge Base for EHR Tools and Workflow Support

Artera’s Knowledge Base is a powerful healthcare staff training platform featuring 200+ regularly updated articles tailored to EHR tools and healthcare communication workflows. It enables teams to troubleshoot issues, explore advanced platform capabilities, and implement best practices for streamlined operations.

• Healthcare-Focused Guides for EHR Tools: The Knowledge Base includes in-demand resources such as Appointment Automation Overviews, Smart Phrase libraries, and documentation for navigating Artera’s collaborative inbox for EHR tools.
• Continuously Updated Content for Workflow Optimization: With daily updates reflecting platform changes and healthcare workflow support enhancements, staff always have access to current best practices and platform functionalities.
• Search-Driven Knowledge Base for Healthcare Communication Onboarding: With 13,000+ search queries logged in 2024, Artera’s healthcare communication onboarding tools help staff troubleshoot independently and refine workflows efficiently.

Continuing Education for Healthcare Staff Training

As part of its healthcare staff training platform, Artera offers weekly Continuing Education Webinars designed for hands-on learners. These expert-led sessions provide real-time updates on platform features, EHR tool enhancements, and workflow best practices. For convenience, all webinars are recorded and made available on demand, supporting flexible onboarding for patient platforms and ongoing healthcare communication training.

Customer Success for Health Systems: Long-Term Support

Artera’s dedication to customer success goes far beyond implementation. Our support ecosystem is crafted to ensure healthcare organizations receive continuous guidance and resources tailored to their specific needs.

• Healthcare-Focused Customer Success Team: Artera’s experts are intimately familiar with the challenges healthcare teams face. Whether your goal is improving patient engagement or streamlining operational workflows, your dedicated success managers work with you to meet your objectives.
• Ongoing Optimizations: The team provides personalized advice for optimizing Artera’s features over time, helping your organization adapt to changing needs and goals.
• Feedback-Driven Updates: User feedback is integral to Artera’s platform development. By incorporating customer insights, we continuously enhance the platform to better serve our users.
• Support Portal: Every customer has access to a portal in the resource center where they can submit and manage specific cases with our support team. 

Empowering Healthcare Staff Through Integrated Training and Communication Tools

Artera’s healthcare communication onboarding ecosystem equips staff with the tools they need to manage complex workflows and patient messaging with confidence. Through resources like the Artera Academy, knowledge base for EHR tools, and real-time support, teams become more self-reliant, significantly reducing IT overhead. This healthcare staff training platform helps improve daily efficiency, boost employee satisfaction, and streamline communication processes across departments.

Why 1,000+ Healthcare Providers Trust Artera for Communication Onboarding

Artera simplifies healthcare communication onboarding by offering fast implementation, role-based training, and ongoing support. With a robust healthcare staff training platform featuring Artera Academy, a searchable knowledge base for EHR tools, and continuing education webinars teams receive the resources they need from day one. Combined with our customer success for health systems, Artera delivers a seamless onboarding experience and long-term workflow support for over 900 healthcare organizations.

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With cost transparency, patient frustration can not only be alleviated but also patient retention and revenue cycle management are optimized.

This blog explores why cost transparency is making waves, how it can help retain patients and how solutions like Artera Intake & Payments make it easier for providers to offer visibility into costs and streamline payments for better revenue capture.

The Problem with Hidden Healthcare Costs

It’s no secret that lack of price transparency has been a long-standing issue in the healthcare industry. According to research, 40% of patients are likely to cancel or delay care if they don’t receive a clear cost estimate beforehand. Additionally, nearly half claim they would consider switching providers for better upfront cost information.

Here’s why hidden costs cause friction for both patients and providers:

• Patient Frustration:
  • No one likes financial surprises. Patients often don’t know the full financial responsibility for services until after receiving care, leading to missed payments, lost trust and even delays in scheduling.
• Revenue Cycle Bottlenecks:
  • Hidden costs increase the chances of claim denials and slow down payments. Providers often rely on time-consuming follow-ups for collections, adding unnecessary administrative burdens.
• Compliance Challenges:
  • Regulations like the No Surprises Act emphasize the need for clear cost disclosures, penalizing organizations that fail to offer estimates.

Patients increasingly want a consumer-like experience when interacting with healthcare providers—just as they’re accustomed to in other industries. That’s where healthcare cost transparency becomes a breakthrough for providers.

How Cost Transparency Builds Patient Retention

Providing clear, upfront pricing isn’t just a compliance measure—it’s a competitive advantage. Transparent pricing fosters trust and encourages patients to remain loyal even in the face of rising costs. Here’s how it boosts retention:

1. Earns Trust Through Clarity

Patients are more likely to choose providers that deliver clear, realistic estimates of out-of-pocket costs before services are rendered. Transparent communication demonstrates that a provider values the patient’s time and finances, building lasting trust.

2. Improves Patient Satisfaction

A 2024 study suggests that 94% of Americans value knowing their costs upfront. Cost transparency significantly reduces anxiety surrounding unexpected bills. This leads to a more positive overall experience, which can translate into repeat visits and word-of-mouth referrals.

3. Lowers Appointment Cancellations

When patients are uncertain about the financial implications of healthcare services, it often results in delays or outright cancellations. By offering visibility into costs, providers can reduce missed appointments and improve operational efficiency.

4. Enhances Payment Flexibility

Transparency helps patients understand their financial responsibilities and enables them to plan payments accordingly. This creates a smoother billing process, increasing the likelihood of on-time payments and reducing reliance on collections.

By committing to cost transparency, healthcare organizations can fundamentally alter the patient-provider relationship, elevating patient loyalty and positioning themselves as trusted healthcare partners.

Some patients say they’ve been able to make price transparency work for them. Theresa Schmotzer, 50, of Goodyear, Arizona, said she used hospital price data to save nearly $3,000 on outpatient surgery to have a fibroid removed in 2024. Schmotzer, who has health insurance, said the hospital first told her she would owe $3,700 for the procedure and wanted the payment upfront. But she was skeptical. The morning of the surgery, Schmotzer found a spreadsheet online at PatientRightsAdvocate.org that included different prices paid by insurers, including hers. The reported price for the procedure was closer to $700, rather than the $3,700 she was first told.

Artera Intake & Payments Brings Cost Transparency to Life

Solutions like Artera Intake & Payments make it easier than ever for providers to implement cost transparency at every step of the patient’s care cycle. This modern platform not only improves patient satisfaction but also enables organizations to optimize revenue capture. Here’s how it works:

Pre-Visit Cost Transparency

Before the patient even visits the clinic, Artera helps secure accurate insurance verification and clear cost estimates through automated digital tools. This allows patients to fully understand their co-pays, deductibles and payment responsibilities upfront, so there are no surprises when it’s time to pay.

With features like automated reminders and pre-payment options, healthcare organizations can start the revenue capture process earlier, reducing the likelihood of payment delays.

Real-Time Cost Visibility During the Visit

At the point of care, Artera ensures continued cost transparency with real-time insurance verification and eligibility checks. Patients can receive updated cost information on-site and have the flexibility to make payments digitally—even completing unfinished pre-appointment forms.

This seamless integration of payment systems allows staff to focus on providing care rather than spending precious time resolving billing questions.

Post-Visit Billing Transparency

After the visit, Artera makes it simple for patients to pay remaining balances with automated billing reminders sent via email or text message. This ensures that patients have all the necessary details to make payments conveniently, improving payment completion rates.

Key benefits for healthcare providers include:

• Reduced Claim Denials:
  • Accurate insurance verification minimizes the risk of payment delays due to inaccurate coding or eligibility issues.
• Faster Revenue Capture:
  • With payment collection moved upstream, organizations can significantly shorten their revenue cycle timelines.
• Enhanced Patient Loyalty:
  • Transparent communication fosters trust, ensuring that patients return for future care rather than choosing competitors.

Real-World Impact of Artera Intake & Payments

• 85% shorter check-in times compared to manual paper forms, enabling patients to focus on their care rather than the administrative hassle.
• 87% of patients opt to save cards on file for easy automated payments, simplifying the post-visit billing process.
• $500k saved by one customer due to reductions in overdue collections—a clear example of translating cost transparency into a financial advantage.

Deliver Cost Transparency to See the Change

Healthcare is rapidly evolving to meet the expectations of today’s consumers. Patients increasingly demand clarity, speed and ease when it comes to their interactions with providers. Cost transparency isn’t just a feature; it’s a necessity for any organization looking to thrive in a competitive healthcare landscape.

By adopting tools like Artera Intake & Payments, healthcare providers can:

• Capture more revenue earlier in the patient care process, improving cash flow and reducing time lost to collections.
• Build deeper patient trust by providing upfront cost estimates that improve engagement and satisfaction.
• Empower their staff with modern digital tools that reduce inefficiencies in insurance verification, payments, and billing.

Actionable Steps for Providers

Your next step is critical but simple. Patients are actively seeking consumer-friendly healthcare experiences, and cost transparency ranks high on their list of priorities.

Explore how Artera Intake & Payments can transform your organization’s approach to cost transparency, patient retention and revenue capture. Book a demo today and experience the future of patient engagement.

The post How Cost Transparency Enhances Patient Retention and Boosts Revenue Capture appeared first on Artera.

This blog explores the role of automated messaging in overcoming recruitment challenges for clinical trials, tackling adherence issues and enhancing communication for better patient outcomes.

Medication Adherence: Understanding the Challenges

Medication adherence refers to whether patients take their medications as prescribed (e.g. once daily), in addition to whether they continue to take a prescribed medication. According to the American Medical Association (AMA), a patient is considered adherent if they take 80% of their prescribed medicine. Anything less, and they’re considered non-adherent.

While it seems like a simple matter of action, medication adherence is a persistent issue in healthcare. In fact, it is estimated that over half of the medications prescribed for people with chronic diseases are not taken as directed. According to the CDC, non-adherence to prescribed medications accounts for 125,000 deaths annually and costs the U.S. healthcare system over $300 billion a year – in terms of additional medical appointments, emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Missed doses arise from many factors. Here are just a few:

• Forgetfulness
• Inadequate provider-patient follow-ups
• Confusion about instructions
• Patients fear side effects or have difficulty taking medication
• Rise in prescription costs

Whatever the reason, many patients face barriers today to taking their medication. In some cases, the issue stems from insufficient communication between patients and their care teams. When patients feel uninformed or unsupported, they are less likely to follow through with prescribed treatment plans. Moreover, systemic challenges, such as limited access to pharmacies or logistical barriers like transportation issues, can make it even harder for individuals to obtain and properly use their medications.

Addressing medication adherence issues requires a multi-faceted approach. Solutions may include leveraging technology, such as medication reminder apps or automated texting systems, to help patients stay on track. Improved provider-patient communication, education about the importance of adherence and a focus on designing more patient-centered care models are also critical for reducing the negative impacts of non-adherence. By tackling these barriers, healthcare systems can improve outcomes for patients and significantly reduce avoidable costs.

Recruitment and Retention Issues in Clinical Trials

Clinical trials, a cornerstone of modern healthcare, are essential for advancing medical research and improving healthcare. They help determine the safety and effectiveness of new treatments, medications and medical devices before they become widely available. By participating in clinical trials, researchers can gather critical data, identify potential side effects and refine therapies to ensure they benefit patients. These trials play a key role in combating diseases, enhancing quality of life, and driving innovation in medicine.

To perform a clinical trial, however, providers must work with patients who are willing and able to participate. Unfortunately, patient recruitment remains one of the most significant barriers to performing these trials. Studies show that nearly 80% of clinical trials fail to meet their enrollment timelines due to issues recruiting enough patients to participate. Traditional approaches like outbound phone calls or mailed invitations are slow, labor-intensive and often limit outreach to specific demographics.

Retention of participants is another critical challenge in clinical trials. High dropout rates can compromise the statistical power of a study and delay the development of essential therapies. Common factors contributing to participant attrition include complex trial protocols, lack of clear communication and burdensome logistics such as frequent visits to clinical sites. Offering flexible scheduling, remote participation options and streamlined communication channels can significantly improve retention rates and enhance patient experience.

How Automated Messaging Can Tackle These Challenges

Automated messaging platforms, such as Artera’s Pulse Outreach, transform how healthcare providers communicate with patients by leveraging timely, personalized and scalable messages. Here’s how they tackle each of the above challenges:

Boosting Medication Adherence

Automated patient messaging can be used for a variety of use cases. Ultimately, using AI virtual agents and automations, providers can send daily or weekly reminders for medication schedules, coupled with personalized follow-ups triggered by non-responses or missed doses.

Successful workflow examples include reminders to take medication paired with educational messages, helping patients understand the importance of consistent medication use.

Recruitment for Clinical Trials, Simplified

Automated messaging enhances clinical trial recruitment by enabling rapid, targeted outreach. With advanced features like dynamic patient cohort generation, platforms can identify eligible candidates based on data from Electronic Health Records (EHR) or Population Health tools.

For example: A large health system running a diabetes-related clinical trial used automated messaging to notify eligible participants. The system achieved a 30% enrollment increase within a four-week period as automated messages tailored to patients’ conditions replaced general recruitment emails.

The Key Benefits of Automated Messaging

Here’s why automated messaging has become essential for clinical trials and medication adherence programs:

1. Scale Outreach Without Scaling Resources

Automated messaging eliminates the reliance on overburdened frontline staff by handling high-volume patient lists efficiently. A single system enables healthcare teams to communicate with hundreds or thousands of patients simultaneously.

2. Personalization That Drives Engagement

Dynamic messaging adapts to patient data, sending personalized reminders, recommendations and updates. From “Here’s your next dose reminder, Alexa” to “Schedule your upcoming wellness visit,” these tailored communications boost response rates.

3. Real-Time Feedback & Analytics

Platforms like Artera’s Pulse Outreach provide analytics on response paths, appointment scheduling and adherence behaviors, helping healthcare providers measure outcomes and refine strategies.

4. Bridging Care Gaps

Whether it’s pre-visit preparation, medication reminders or trial updates, automated systems seamlessly fill communication gaps, improving care coordination and lowering risks of non-compliance.

Proven Case Studies

1. Increasing Patient Participation in Preventative Care

A $3B+ health system launched an automated campaign encouraging mammography appointments. The two-month campaign drove 16% of patients to schedule visits during the holiday season, addressing a typically unresponsive group.

2. Clinical Trials Recruitment Success

By texting potential participants for a flu vaccine efficacy trial, a leading academic medical center saw enrollment rise by over 25% compared to traditional email-only efforts.

3. Medication Adherence for Chronic Conditions

Using automated reminders, a national healthcare organization improved diabetes medication adherence by 20%, reducing ER visits and enhancing patient outcomes.

How to Implement Automated Messaging in Your Practice

Are you ready to adopt automated patient messaging for your clinical trials or medication adherence program? Here’s how to get started:

1. Choose the Right Tool: Look for platforms like Artera’s Pulse Outreach, designed to automate outreach effortlessly, integrate with EHR systems, and provide dynamic patient lists.
2. Define Campaign Goals: Set clear objectives, whether it’s increasing recruitment, improving medication adherence, or achieving specific compliance rates.
3. Leverage Data for Targeting: Integrate patient data to segment communications effectively, focusing efforts on personalized, relevant outreach.
4. Monitor and Adjust: Use analytics to measure the success of your campaigns, identifying areas for optimization and improvement.
5. Consider Comprehensive Solutions: Maximize the value of automated messaging by integrating additional features, such as consent management tools, multi-language messages and self-scheduling links.

Improve Your Patient Communication Today

Automated patient messaging is no longer an option – it’s a necessity for healthcare organizations facing increasing challenges in recruitment, adherence and communication. By adopting tools like Artera Pulse Outreach, providers can enhance engagement, close care gaps, and drive measurable improvements in patient outcomes.

Take the first step toward transforming your patient communication strategy. Learn more about Artera Pulse Outreach or book a demo and see the difference it can make for your clinical trials and adherence programs.

The post Exploring the Impact of Automated Patient Messaging on Medication Adherence and Clinical Trials appeared first on Artera.