Table 2. Inpatient secure message types.

Message type	Definition of message type	Example of message type
Alert/Request	Identifying a new condition, symptom, or problem or asking for a service or device	“I have been having more frequent headaches”
Thanks	Offering thanks (e.g., for care received)	“Thank you all for taking such great care of me”
Question	Seeking information about any topic	“Will I be having an MRI today?”
Response	Responding to a previous question or request	“The doctor will be in to see you shortly”
Other	Sent in error or to test this feature of the device	“Hi, just testing out this new tablet”

Abbreviation: MRI, magnetic resonance imaging.