SMS template · Utility
Test Preparation Reminder SMS Template for Diagnostic Labs
A ready-to-adapt SMS message for diagnostic labs and pathology centres, with placeholders, sample values and compliance notes.
When to Send This Message
Send the evening before tests that need fasting or other preparation. For diagnostic labs and pathology centres, this is one of the everyday messages that keeps patients informed without a phone call. It works best when it is triggered automatically from your booking, billing or CRM software.
Diagnostic labs win business through doctor referrals, home sample collection and convenience.
The SMS Template
India (DLT format)
Dear {#var#}, for your {#var#} tomorrow at [Business Name], please fast for {#var#} hours before sample collection. You may drink plain water. Call {#var#} for any questions.International (plain text)
Dear {patient}, for your {test} tomorrow at [Business Name], please fast for {hours} hours before sample collection. You may drink plain water. Call {phone} for any questions.Example with sample values
Dear Meena, for your lipid profile tomorrow at [Business Name], please fast for 10 to 12 hours before sample collection. You may drink plain water. Call 0755-XXXXXXX for any questions.
With these sample values the message is 186 characters in the standard GSM-7 character set, which is 2 SMS parts (square brackets count as two characters each). Long links or local-language (Unicode) text increase the count, as Unicode SMS allow 70 characters per single part.
Replace [Business Name] with your registered brand name. Links shown use example.com as a placeholder; use your own domain.
Placeholders and Sample Values
| Placeholder | Meaning | Sample value |
|---|---|---|
| {#var#} | Patient | Meena |
| {#var#} | Test | lipid profile |
| {#var#} | Hours | 10 to 12 |
| {#var#} | Phone | 0755-XXXXXXX |
Filling in each placeholder
- Patient (sample: Meena): Use the first name or the salutation the customer gave you; fall back to a neutral greeting if the field is empty.
- Test (sample: lipid profile): Keep the value short and specific; test the longest realistic value to check the message still reads well.
- Hours (sample: 10 to 12): Give times with AM/PM or a clear range, and the time zone if the customer may be in another country.
- Phone (sample: 0755-XXXXXXX): Use a number the customer can actually reach during business hours, ideally one already shown on your website.
This template has 4 placeholders and a body of 175 characters before values are filled in. Shorter messages cost less and are more likely to be read in full; aim to keep the filled-in message within one or two SMS parts.
Category and Approval
In India this type of message is usually registered as Service Implicit: it relates to an existing transaction or relationship and can be delivered to numbers on the DND registry. It must not contain promotional content.
Compliance Checklist
- Each {#var#} holds only the kind of value it was registered for; most platforms limit each variable to 30 characters.
- Any link uses a domain whitelisted for your header, as TRAI requires for URLs in commercial SMS.
- The brand name in the message matches your registered business or header.
Rules to keep in mind for Diagnostic Labs
Labs should describe tests factually and avoid diagnostic claims in ads. Reports contain health data, so links must be secure and shared only with the patient or the person they authorise, in line with the DPDP Act, 2023.
General guidance, not legal advice. Rules change, so confirm current requirements before launch. See our SMS compliance guide for India.
Tips for Better Results
- Keep one purpose per message; if you need to send a reminder and a document, the reminder should still make sense on its own.
- Use the customer's name and a reference number so the message is easy to trust and to search for later.
Where this message fits for Diagnostic Labs
Lab customers usually arrive with a doctor's prescription or for a health package, compare prices, home sample collection availability and report turnaround times, and book online or by phone. The key moments afterwards are the collection reminder, fasting instructions and the notification that reports are ready.
Search ads and price comparison pages capture people looking for specific tests; WhatsApp handles bookings and sends secure report links; SMS carries collection slots and fasting reminders; voice calls confirm home collection addresses; email delivers health package offers to corporate clients.
Campaign ideas that pair with this template
- Fasting reminder the night before a morning blood test
- Seasonal packages, such as vitamin D tests in winter or pre-travel checks
- Repeat-test reminders for patients monitoring diabetes or thyroid levels
Need this SMS template set up?
We register, submit and connect templates for you, and send test messages before launch.
Questions About This Template
When should a diagnostic lab send the test preparation reminder message?
Send the evening before tests that need fasting or other preparation. Automate it from your software where possible so it is never forgotten.
What does {#var#} mean?
It marks the variable part of a DLT template, such as a name, date or amount. Everything outside the variables must be sent exactly as registered.
Which DLT category should I choose for this test preparation reminder message?
Usually Service Implicit. The final category depends on your entity type, the consent you hold and your operator's guidelines, and we confirm it during registration.
Can DND Teams set this up for my diagnostic lab?
Yes. We adapt the template to your business, register or submit it, and connect it to your software or our panel. Share your use case on WhatsApp or through the form.
Related Templates
More SMS templates for Diagnostic Labs
This message on other channels
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