Written by: Center for Care Innovations

Texting messaging systems can range from vendor-hosted platforms to “off-the-shelf” solutions to services available through current electronic health record systems.

As you conduct research to select a vendor or platform that works best with your organization’s current needs and future plans for texting, consider the following:

  • Options for bi-directional or one-directional texting
  • Ability to integrate with other systems at the organization
  • Level of external support and assistance provided
  • Level of internal IT support needed
  • Short-term and long-term costs (e.g., set-up fees, per message fees)
  • Security and potential data breach risks
  • Platform options for sending messages with logic or on specific schedules
  • Options for monitoring texts and analyzing texting data
  • Ability to customize platforms and data reporting

For a list of vendors and types of text messaging systems used in CCI’s Texting for Better Care program, see report Text Messaging in the Healthcare Safety Net.