ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONALITY NEEDED FOR SECURE MESSAGES

Now that Secure Texts are being removed from Communication Center, there needs to be something to replace that functionality. Our providers send secure texts to their patients all the time from Communication Center. Most often to let patients know they received and reviewed test results. As an alternative, providers can send secure messages to their patients via the "Communication" application within the patient chart. The message goes to the MCC patient portal account. The problem with that is the only way a patient will get the message is when they log into their portal, which isn't going to be a regular action. Patients enrolled on MCC enter information on their account such as their phone number and email. The functionality of secure messages needs to be expanded so when a provider sends one, the patient can receive some sort of notification, otherwise patients and their families are clueless to the fact they have a message waiting. The notification via text or email can be worded like, "Your medical provider has sent you a secure message. Please log into My Care Corner to review."

The functionality also needs to be expanded to nursing staff as often it's the providers' MA that is sending messages or replying to patients for the provider.