Mass Registration by Verified SMS

You can register a patient by sending an SMS text message to their mobile phone. If they have a smartphone the link can allow one tap registration which is fast and easy. NHS providers can send SMS message free of charge up to a certain volume. You can contact your PKB team for advice.

Registration steps

1. The SMS provider makes a PKB API call to receive invite code and access code unique to the patient's record. The codes decrypt the patient's record, allowing the person registering to see the record.

2. The SMS provider sends a text message to the user containing two codes.

3. On smartphones, the user taps to register on www.joinpkb.com, ideally with both codes already pre-filled. On a mobile phone the user must visit joinpkb.com and enter the two codes from the SMS.

4. The user enters the date of birth of the patient as a security step. If the mobile phone number was incorrect the SMS recipient will not be able to register, this happens in the case of a family sharing the same mobile phone or a parent/carer having their mobile number on their child’s hospital medical record.

5. If the user is unable to register, they need to contact the Organisations support team to get their medical record updated, then the codes can either be resent or the Org can manual add the email to the record to register the patient.

6. PKB sends a confirmation message to the email address.

7. The user clicks on link in the confirmation email to complete registration.

8. The user can log into PKB with this email address and password to see their health record.

Registration SMS

Sender: NHS-No-Reply

PATIENT_NAME get letters and test results from ORGANISATION_NAME at www.joinpkb.com

Sender: NHS-No-Reply

Enter invite code XXXXXXXXXX and access code YYYYYYYYYY or use https://joinpkb.com/?t1=xxxxxxxxxx&t2=yyyyyyyyyy

The split in two text messages is important to avoid splitting the codes or the web addresses.

Best practice

1. Give patients a reason to register. Over 95% of patients that had at least one blood test done, complete registration. If you tell patients without a blood test why they should also register (e.g. to receive clinic letters and discharge letters) they are more likely to do so.

2. Let patients know before they come to clinic that this is something available to them in clinic. For example, provide a leaflet with information that also outlines the benefits, in the same envelope as the letter about the clinic appointment.

3. Social media campaign to let patients and staff know on a weekly basis about PKB. Computer screen savers for staff can also be a great reminder.

4. Remind patients in clinic about registration through posters, TV Screensavers in waiting room and pop-up stand next to kiosks.

5. Send your SMS codes as soon as possible, ideally on the day of a clinic appointment. Patients register more quickly later in the same day. (Registration rates are similar during and after clinic hours.)