Notification Channels Explained

Notification Channels

Rounds can send notifications through multiple channels. Choose the right channel for each situation.

Email Notifications

Best for:

Detailed information

Non-urgent alerts

Reports and summaries

Audit trail/documentation

Pros:

No cost per message

Can include detailed content

Easy to search and reference

Works on all devices

Cons:

May go to spam

Not immediate

Requires checking inbox

SMS Text Messages

Best for:

Urgent alerts

Time-sensitive notifications

Users without email access

Critical missed check-ins

Pros:

High open rate (98%+)

Immediate delivery

Works without internet

Hard to miss

Cons:

Character limits

Cost per message

Requires valid phone number

Push Notifications

Best for:

Real-time alerts

Staff app reminders

Quick acknowledgments

Interactive notifications

Pros:

Instant delivery

No cost per message

Rich content (buttons, images)

High visibility

Cons:

Requires app installed

User must enable notifications

Can be blocked by phone settings

Configuring Channels

Go to Settings > Notifications

For each notification type, select channels

Set priority order for escalation

Save settings

Best Practices

Don't over-notify on all channels

Reserve SMS for truly urgent messages

Let users set preferences when possible

Test each channel to ensure delivery