Appointment-Plus Making Flu-Shot Scheduling Painless as Vaccine Arrives at Healthcare Facilities

Sept. 14, 2010 - PRLog -- Scottsdale, Ariz. – Individuals throughout the country are beginning to schedule their flu shots as vaccine shipments arrive at healthcare facilities, wellness centers, clinics and other locations that administer the vital immunization. Thanks to online flu-shot scheduling software from Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com/scheduling_software/flu_shot_appointment_scheduling_software.php), flu shot providers are improving the way they schedule their vaccinations and manage their customer and patient information.

The 2009-2010 flu season exposed the need many healthcare facilities have for efficient online scheduling software. The sudden and, for the most part, unexpected rush for flu-shot vaccinations overwhelmed providers and their support staff, as many experienced long lines, vaccine shortages and customer and patient frustration. Facilities that previously conducted in-person, “no-appointment necessary” vaccination clinics or scheduled their vaccinations in the more traditional way—over the phone with appointments marked in a paper appointment book, Google Calendar or spreadsheet—began looking for scheduling solutions to automate, improve and streamline their vaccinations processes. They found the answer in Appointment-Plus online appointment scheduling software.

“Proper scheduling of flu-shot vaccinations can be a frustrating and time-consuming task for wellness centers, clinics and other healthcare providers,” says Bob La Loggia, president and founder of StormSource Software, the developer of Appointment-Plus. “Our software helps these facilities better manage this important service while giving their customers and patients the convenience of booking their appointments online.”

A leader in flu-shot scheduling software since 2001, Appointment-Plus offers such functionality as online customer and patient self-scheduling, whereby individuals can book their own vaccinations at their own convenience, 24 hours a day; automated e-mail and text message reminders sent prior to a scheduled appointment; online payment options; robust record-keeping and reporting; and e-marketing capabilities.

Practitioners and facilities that offer online customer and patient self-scheduling can add a button to their Web site where individuals can securely and quickly access the online scheduler. This popular feature can have an immediate and positive effect on scheduling procedures, as it will reduce the number of phone calls and in-person registrations, thereby freeing up staff time for other tasks.

Appointment-Plus is also ideal for managing the more traditional call-in and in-person appointments, as it provides more functionality than a paper appointment book or an electronic calendar such as those offered by Google or Microsoft Outlook.

The versatility of Appointment-Plus enables it to fit seamlessly into most facility scheduling operations, regardless of size. From single-site health clinics in the Pacific Northwest to county health departments in New England encompassing numerous offices, facilities large and small that utilize the online appointment software run more efficiently and successfully. Clients that currently utilize Appointment-Plus scheduling software include Horizon Wellness Group, Hicksville, NY; Westport Weston Health District, Westport, Conn.; and Weymouth Health Department, Weymouth, Mass.

As a Web-based scheduling application, Appointment-Plus doesn’t require costly hardware or program installations. Administrators and staff access their scheduler securely and easily through any Internet connection, a tremendous benefit for practitioners and staff who manage their schedules from their phones, PDAs and other mobile devices when at home, on the road and other sites outside the office or facility.  

Pricing starts at $39 per month (based on 500 appointments per month) with no long-term contracts, along with free set-up assistance with a dedicated coach.

“Having a proven, efficient scheduling procedure can mean the difference between a well-run flu-shot campaign and one riddled with problems,” La Loggia continues. “As many flu-shot providers have discovered, Appointment-Plus is the perfect partner for scheduling and managing their vaccination appointments.”  

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About Appointment-Plus:  Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com) supplies over 4,000 clients throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries the tools they need to efficiently and accurately schedule appointments and reservations, book rooms, accept registrations and many other services. The flagship product of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based StormSource Software, the online application has scheduled over 50 million appointments since its launch in 2001. Users of Appointment-Plus include healthcare agencies and facilities, shipping, freight and delivery services, Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities, federal and local government, and small businesses such as tutors, instructors, medical offices, spas, health clubs and massage therapists.

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About Appointment-Plus: Appointment-Plus (http://www.appointment-plus.com) supplies over 4,000 clients throughout the United States, Canada and 10 other countries the tools they need to efficiently and accurately schedule appointments and reservations, book rooms, accept registrations and many other services. The flagship product of Scottsdale, Ariz.-based StormSource Software, the online application has scheduled over 50 million appointments since its launch in 2001. Users of Appointment-Plus include healthcare agencies and facilities, shipping, freight and delivery services, Fortune 500 companies, colleges and universities, federal and local government, and small businesses such as tutors, instructors, medical offices, spas, health clubs and massage therapists.