VA looking for text messaging software to communicate with family members of patients undergoing surgery

The Department of Veterans Affairs is searching for a web-based text message service that can communicate with any cell phone to communicate patient status information, the agency announced. 

This would be a new service offered by the Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center. The system will enable text messages to be sent to operating room patients and their families related to upcoming appointments and status updates to family members while patients are in surgery. 

The VA wants a software-as-a-service platform. Potential contractors will have to provide unlimited cloud-based SMS Messaging to patients, staff and family members. 

The service must Include consultation, setup, online training and 24/7 support. There will be no specific patient information passed through the vendor SMS messaging portal other than the Veterans and/or family phone number. No names, or protected healthcare related information will go out on the system. 

The Medical Center will have its own log-in account and will require the ability to create its own localized template messages. 

“This service is being offered to help improve our Veterans experience and satisfaction with their healthcare but is a completely voluntary service,” according to the announcement. “This service will potentially be expanded to include all Clinical Services offered by the Hershel Woody Williams VA Medical Center.”

To learn more and submit a proposal view the posting HERE.