diff --git a/engine/apps/alerts/tasks/check_escalation_finished.py b/engine/apps/alerts/tasks/check_escalation_finished.py
index 2e2e01ee..fefd3a90 100644
--- a/engine/apps/alerts/tasks/check_escalation_finished.py
+++ b/engine/apps/alerts/tasks/check_escalation_finished.py
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ from django.db.models import Avg, F, Max, Q
 from django.utils import timezone
 
 from apps.alerts.tasks.task_logger import task_logger
+from apps.phone_notifications.models import SMSRecord
+from apps.twilioapp.models import TwilioSMSstatuses
 from common.custom_celery_tasks.log_exception_on_failure_task import shared_log_exception_on_failure_task
 from common.database import get_random_readonly_database_key_if_present_otherwise_default
 
@@ -106,10 +108,17 @@ def check_alert_group_personal_notifications_task(alert_group_id) -> None:
         notification_step=UserNotificationPolicy.Step.NOTIFY,
     ).count()
 
+    # sent SMS messages are considered completed for our purpose here
+    # (ie. do not wait for Twilio delivered confirmation)
+    sent_but_not_delivered_sms = SMSRecord.objects.filter(
+        represents_alert_group_id=alert_group_id,
+        twilioapp_twiliosmss__status=TwilioSMSstatuses.SENT,
+    ).count()
+
     base_msg = f"Alert group {alert_group_id}"
+    completed += sent_but_not_delivered_sms
     delta = triggered - completed
     if delta > 0:
-        # TODO: when success notifications are setup for every backend, raise exception here
         task_logger.info(f"{base_msg} has ({delta}) uncompleted personal notifications")
     else:
         task_logger.info(f"{base_msg} personal notifications check passed")
diff --git a/engine/apps/alerts/tests/test_check_escalation_finished_task.py b/engine/apps/alerts/tests/test_check_escalation_finished_task.py
index 3b57061d..05c93fb8 100644
--- a/engine/apps/alerts/tests/test_check_escalation_finished_task.py
+++ b/engine/apps/alerts/tests/test_check_escalation_finished_task.py
@@ -15,6 +15,7 @@ from apps.alerts.tasks.check_escalation_finished import (
     send_alert_group_escalation_auditor_task_heartbeat,
 )
 from apps.base.models import UserNotificationPolicy, UserNotificationPolicyLogRecord
+from apps.twilioapp.models import TwilioSMS, TwilioSMSstatuses
 
 MOCKED_HEARTBEAT_URL = "https://hello.com/lsdjjkf"
 
@@ -407,6 +408,7 @@ def test_check_escalation_finished_task_calls_audit_alert_group_personal_notific
     make_alert_receive_channel,
     make_alert_group_that_started_at_specific_date,
     make_user_notification_policy_log_record,
+    make_sms_record,
     caplog,
 ):
     organization, user = make_organization_and_user()
@@ -461,7 +463,7 @@ def test_check_escalation_finished_task_calls_audit_alert_group_personal_notific
     # records created > 5 mins ago
     alert_group1.personal_log_records.update(created_at=now - timezone.timedelta(minutes=7))
 
-    # alert_group2: notify user, notification failed
+    # alert_group2: notify user, notification failed; triggered sms, sent status
     make_user_notification_policy_log_record(
         author=user,
         alert_group=alert_group2,
@@ -476,8 +478,24 @@ def test_check_escalation_finished_task_calls_audit_alert_group_personal_notific
         notification_step=UserNotificationPolicy.Step.NOTIFY,
         type=UserNotificationPolicyLogRecord.TYPE_PERSONAL_NOTIFICATION_FAILED,
     )
+    make_user_notification_policy_log_record(
+        author=user,
+        alert_group=alert_group2,
+        notification_policy=user_notification_policy,
+        notification_step=UserNotificationPolicy.Step.NOTIFY,
+        type=UserNotificationPolicyLogRecord.TYPE_PERSONAL_NOTIFICATION_TRIGGERED,
+    )
+    # no failed or succeed record, but SMS was sent (without Twilio delivered confirmation yet)
+    sms_record = make_sms_record(
+        receiver=user,
+        represents_alert_group=alert_group2,
+        notification_policy=user_notification_policy,
+    )
+    sent_sms = TwilioSMS.objects.create(sid="someid", sms_record=sms_record, status=TwilioSMSstatuses.SENT)
     # records created > 5 mins ago
     alert_group2.personal_log_records.update(created_at=now - timezone.timedelta(minutes=7))
+    sent_sms.created_at = now - timezone.timedelta(minutes=6)
+    sent_sms.save()
 
     # alert_group3: notify user, missing completion
     make_user_notification_policy_log_record(
@@ -521,4 +539,4 @@ def test_check_escalation_finished_task_calls_audit_alert_group_personal_notific
     # also trigger the general personal notification checker
     check_personal_notifications_task()
 
-    assert "personal_notifications_triggered=4 personal_notifications_completed=2" in caplog.text
+    assert "personal_notifications_triggered=5 personal_notifications_completed=2" in caplog.text