Short Message Service Text Reminders Improve Medication Adherence for High-Risk Patients

Short Message Service (SMS) text reminders (SMS nudges) are increasingly used to help vulnerable patients remember to fill their prescriptions, but measuring their impact on prescription adherence and hospital readmissions remains challenging. We conducted a study examining patients with a primary diagnosis of congestive heart failure who were prescribed medications during their hospital stay. We compared prescription fill rates and readmission outcomes between patients who did and did not interact with automated SMS nudges sent after discharge. Results demonstrated significant benefits for patients who engaged with the intervention. Those who interacted with SMS nudges showed 19 percent higher odds of filling their prescriptions and 6 percent lower odds of hospital readmission compared to patients who did not engage. These findings suggest interactive SMS nudges represent a promising tool for improving medication adherence and reducing hospital readmissions among heart failure patients, a population at high risk for poor outcomes and frequent healthcare utilization.