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What is a "non-standard message" and why was I notified?

What triggers a non-standard message notification, who receives it, and whether you need to respond.

Written by Valeed Malik

What is a non-standard message?

SaRA's automated questions prompt patients for short replies, usually one or two words. When a patient replies with a message longer than a typical scripted survey answer — more than a few words — SaRA flags it as a "non-standard" response and notifies the patient's primary provider by email.

Important: a non-standard message is not a filter for good, bad, or emergency news. It simply means the patient elaborated. For example, "I did all my exercises today, thanks" would be flagged as non-standard.

Who receives the notification?

  • The primary provider assigned to that patient receives an email with the details needed to decide whether a response is warranted.

Do I need to respond?

That decision is entirely up to you as the clinician. The notification exists so important messages are brought to your attention quickly while respecting your time — it does not require action. A non-standard answer could be great, neutral, or concerning news about the patient's status.

Does SaRA respond to patients for me?

No. SaRA never replies directly to a patient on your behalf. Non-standard messages are simply surfaced to you so you can decide how to react.

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