Alerts can be useful to let you know when a document has been updated, for instance, if a care plan is updated, you can ask SharePoint to send you an email to tell you it has happened. 

To set an alert on a file: 

1. Navigate to the SharePoint site.
2. Find the file you want to be alerted about.
3. Click on the tick next to the file 
4. Click on the three dots and click Alert Me.  You will see a window Alert me when items change.
5. Update the options eg Alert Title if required.
6. Click OK.
7. You will then receive an email to confirm when the alert is running.
8. Each time the document is updated, you will receive an alert.