In this episode, Vinay speaks with Jacob from AccuRx. Jacob is one of the creators of Chain SMS, a program designed for primary care to be able to easily and quickly communicate with their patients, video consult, and send documents. The text-based service has proved a hit with many doctors in a huge shift to virtual and remote consultations in response to Covid-19.
Topics Covered in this Episode:
Chain SMS and its key featuresThe whyVinay’s experience with Chain SMSHow AccuRx mobilised quicklyChain SMS statisticsThe interesting ways Chain SMS has been used during COVIDWill there be continued use or growth after the pandemic?Chain SMS and its key features
Originally designed for GP practices to communicate information with patientsOver the past few weeks, have added the ability to collect data from patients, send documents, video consult, etc.The problem and the solution“As a company, we believe that healthcare is a communication industry.”
The why
Initially worked on antibiotic prescribing and how to send information to patientsThey wanted to build something easy-to-adopt and a useful way for doctors to contact patients. This led to them launching Chain SMS two years agoJacob has a personal interest in healthcare systems and improving workflowVinay’s experience with Chain SMS
Chain SMS formed part of a model supporting a switch to a total triage system where patients avoid coming into the surgery“We do a new release of our software every couple of days, and are constantly making really small improvements.”
How AccuRx mobilised quickly
Dedicated time to building good infrastructure (updating software, user accounts, support team, etc.)The team is committed to helping users and improving constantlyOver a weekend in March, they enabled features to help doctors respond more effectively to Covid-19They wanted something that worked without an app or required new hardware and have also developed a hospital version“The need to communicate has only just become a lot more acute during Covid, because things cannot be solved face-to-face.”
Chain SMS statistics
6 400 GP practices in England using the service out of a possible 7000150 000 patient messages sent each day15 000 documents and patient responsesThe interesting ways Chain SMS has been used during COVID
Practices can speak to patients on the phone, create a summary of the record or referral, and send it directly to the patient for them to take it to hospital if neededAdding multiple people to video calls (other family members or interpreters)Patients wait in the car park, and doctors send an SMS when they’re ready to see the patientWill there be continued use or growth after the pandemic?
Some facets aren’t specific to coronavirusPlans and hopes to bring new features and growth beyond primary careNew features like facilitating patient initiation of sending a messageFor more information:
Website: https://www.accurx.com/