The movement of patients within a hospital is a critical success factor in the functioning of the health facility. Stress can be generated through long waiting time, confusing layout and difficulty in locating which department to go to. Effective signage for hospitals has the potential of enhancing this experience greatly especially if the signage directs patients flow of the hospital. This is how hospitals can make use of signs to improve patient circulation:
1. Clear Wayfinding Solutions
When it comes to organisation of space one of the most difficult issues that has to be faced in hospitals is the matter of spatial complexity. When there are numerous departments, wings or floors, a patient or a visitor may easily get lost. Ensuring that everyone understands where they are going is achieved through developing and installing well-strategically positioned wayfinding signs.
• Directional signs: Signs should be orientated with arrows and short descriptions of what can be found nearby, including emergency departments, X-ray, or canteens.
• Color-coded zones: Divide the hospital area by colors to help patients and staff to easily navigate through the building. For instance, the pediatric department could be coloured green while the cardiology is coloured blue.
2. Digital Signage for Dynamic Updates
Digital signage goes beyond the traditional conventional methods of providing ways of getting around the hospital. These screens can show such information as the time before the next customer will be served in a particular department, or directions, or changes in rooms, etc.
Interactive kiosks: Patients should be able to enter their destination and have the map on the app show them the steps to follow.
Emergency updates: During increased patient visits, these screens can guide traffic to other parts of the building, thus reducing congestion.
3. Prioritize Multilingual and Inclusive Design
Hospitals treat people of different nationalities and languages, and everyone needs signage that they can understand and access.
· These include signs such as a restroom or an elevator or ramp sign.
· Use more than one language frequently used in the society.
· Make sure that all the signs are ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant for example using braille or audio.
4. Administrative Improvements of Check-In and Waiting Zones
Proper signage can help in preventing confusion during the point of entry. From reception to waiting, there are properly labeled areas for patients to avoid congestion.
Queue management systems: Screens can inform a patient of when and where they should be for their appointment.
Pre-registration reminders: A sign near the door can tell patients about online or kiosk check-in.
5. Stress on Emergency and Priority Zones
In certain cases, one can only afford to act according to the time one has at one’s disposal. The signs in the hospital should be designed in a way that will let the clients know where to find the emergency services.
Illuminated signs: Illuminated signs should be used to lead people to emergency departments or to point to emergency staircases.
Floor decals: Install directional arrows on the floor particularly where there is much traffic.
6. Improve Staff Navigation
Organizational patient flow is not a patient-centered issue only; staff experience enhanced flow with proper signage. It’s important to label different types of supply rooms, areas restricted to employees only, and meeting rooms to avoid confusion throughout shifts.
Conclusion
Hospitals can improve patient experiences and organizational efficiency just with the right signage. If hospitals pay attention to the signages and make them clear, inclusive and easily changeable, everyone in the hospitals will feel that they are welcome. If applied wisely and effectively, signs minimize confusion, increase the time taken to be attended and hence increase customer satisfaction and it is a noble win-win situation for all the parties involved.
Purchasing new and advanced signage solutions is one of the efforts to make the hospital environment more patient-centered. It is important to know that with the right equipment, the confusing patterns in the hospital can easily be made to appear less stressful for those having to navigate through them.
