Meta description: Find out how digital signage for healthcare facilities can change the way patients manage stress, find their way around and enhance their overall experience.
Introduction
Digital signage for healthcare is changing wayfinding in complex medical facilities. This makes it easier for visitors and patients to find their way around in large buildings, with lots of rooms and hallways. The signs use digital maps and connections to a user’s mobile app to guide patients, medical professionals, and guests from place to place. The technology also uses interactive kiosks to save time, cut stress and frustration, and make a trip to the doctor easier for everyone involved.
Consider arriving at the hospital to visit a loved one or needing to get to an appointment on time, but not knowing where to go. Traditional signs and maps can be hard to figure out, especially for younger guests who are used to technological solutions. Digital wayfinding is the perfect solution because it uses GPS as a guide for patients and visitors. It helps keep people from getting lost in a large building and directs visitors and patients to the right lab, room, or ward.
How Digital Signage for Healthcare Works
Touchscreens and Apps
Digital signage combines several types of technology to provide directions in real time. Most facilities place interactive touch screens that are linked to a mobile app in strategic locations. This might be next to the entrance or near the elevators, where patients and guests need directions the most. When a person enters the building, they can find a step-by-step route to their destination inside the facility. This often includes visuals like arrows or color coded paths that make it easy to navigate throughout the hallways and rooms of the building. Advanced systems also feature audio directions, which is helpful for patients with visual disabilities, as it guides them by voice.
GPS and Bluetooth
Larger buildings use GPS and Bluetooth beacons to show patients where they are and how to get where they are going. The beacons can pinpoint a current location and then guide a person from place to place inside the building by connecting with a user’s phone. The result is accurate turn-by-turn directions, that eliminate the worry and frustration that goes with getting lost inside a large building.
Benefits of Digital Signage for Patients
Reduced Stress
One of the best reasons to incorporate digital signage for healthcare is that it can reduce stress. It’s overwhelming to try to find the correct office or lab, especially if you’re trying to make it to an appointment on time. This is more difficult if you are already feeling sick. The same is true if you are concerned about the health of a loved one.
Digital wayfinding limits this frustration by helping a person navigate a large building. Finding your way through hospital corridors with ease reduces stress and gets you to your appointment on time. The system also gives users a notification when there is a treatment delay, which helps with time management. Some apps also allow patients to check in early, making the registration process faster and more streamlined.
Helps People with Limited Mobility
For patients with limited mobility, digital wayfinding is especially useful. But also subject to federal regulations. The system highlights an accessible route, which includes identifying ramps, nearby parking, and elevators. Visible routes ensure that all visitors and patients can find their way through the facility comfortably and have the tools and accommodations they need to get from their car to their room, lab or ward in a timely and safe way.
Benefits for Healthcare Staff and Facility Management
New Employees and Guests
Wayfinding is also useful for new employees and visiting doctors. Digital maps guide people around the building, guiding them to their room or office. This places the focus on patient care and prevents getting lost and delaying or hindering healthcare.
Data Collection
Digital wayfinding also provides data that gives information about foot traffic so that associated improvements can be made when necessary. This reduces congestion in crowded areas and allows for improved signage that gives all visitors and patients the best wayfinding assistance for their needs.
The Future of Digital Wayfinding in Healthcare
The future promises more intuitive wayfinding, using artificial intelligence and virtual reality to guide people through the hallways of large medical facilities. This also takes into account wait times and sends alerts about crowded elevators or hallways, so they can be avoided or planned for accordingly.
Conclusion
Digital wayfinding is helping healthcare facilities by making it simpler to get around. The result is less stress, saved time and a better patient experience. As digital wayfinding is used in more hospitals, it will continue to contribute to patient friendly facilities.
Author Bio
Alice Harding is an experienced writer specializing in healthcare technology. With a solid understanding of how tech is used in healthcare, she researches and reports on topics related to telemedicine. She’s also experienced with the use of artificial intelligence for making a diagnosis and keeping patient data safe and secure. Alice’s work provides medical professionals and patients with information about how technology can enhance patient outcomes.