Wayfinding Systems in Hospitals: What Are the Benefits and How to Improve It

Let’s face it, few places are more confusing and anxiety-inducing than airports and hospitals. Between the two, it’s probably fair to say that hospitals take the top prize for confusion, wasted time and stress. So how can we improve the overall patient experience? One of the most important methods is through effective wayfinding in hospitals.

Indoor wayfinding in hospitals is a sophisticated integration system of diverse technologies. These tools can range from simple signposting to complex indoor navigation apps for mobile phones. In a healthcare setting, a hospital wayfinder has the potential to provide more than just turn-by-turn directions and seamless navigation; it can also provide a 360-degree experience within a venue. In this way, strategic route-making is elevated and that is the ultimate improvement one can seek.

How to improve wayfinding systems in hospitals? 

Spatial Problem-Solving

Solving the spatial challenges we face in a hospital boils down to two things: human factors and technical factors.

The human factors are composed of the various considerations surrounding a spatial problem. This forms the basis of the overall interior navigation plan. Naturally, the more thorough the work is at the conceptual stage, the more effective the actualization will be.

The technical components of wayfinding in hospitals are the physical and visual elements in the environment, such as:

• Colour and lighting
• Architectural features and physical landmarks
• Printed guides and maps
• Physical and digital signage
• Digital information kiosks and interactive touchscreens
• Mobile indoor navigation apps

These elements enable our cognitive processes. While we instinctively understand architectural features and printed maps, high-tech elements are now making a significant difference when navigating a healthcare facility.

Enhancing Wayfinding systems in Hospitals

• Digital Signage 

Digital signage is an intuitive innovation that is effective in virtually any setting. Alongside traditional signage, it can significantly augment the effectiveness of the entire scheme across hospital campuses. This technology can be configured to display everything from general notices to live queue updates for blood tests.

• Digital Kiosks 

Locating specific rooms, departments, services and people becomes much simpler with a digital hospital wayfinder. Digital maps and in-depth information are literally at the user’s fingertips. As opposed to printed materials, updates on digital kiosks can be made swiftly and with significantly less waste.

Indoor Navigation Apps for Hospitals 

Mobile indoor navigation apps are the modern solution everyone is adopting. Since we are already in the habit of using GPS to navigate while driving, it is a natural transition to use a digital hospital wayfinder when inside a large building.

The benefits of a mobile app that leads you directly to a surgeon’s office are clear, but its usefulness reaches further. An indoor positioning app is like having a concierge in the palm of your hand. Whether you need a coffee, some flowers or a magazine, the app can guide you there. With these capabilities, technology creates a truly comprehensive care experience.

5 Benefits of Implementing an Integrated Hospital Wayfinding Platform

Inefficient navigation systems cost hospitals between USD 220,000 and USD 450,000 annually due to staff time spent giving. When patients, visitors and staff must navigate multiple departments and buildings, the benefits of well-planned wayfinding in hospitals are obvious. However, the positive results extend even further, helping the facility managers as much as the patients.

1. Reduces Stress, Frustration and Anxiety 

In an environment where emotions already run high, lowering stress is vital for everyone. Interestingly, one of the biggest complaints from visitors is the anxiety caused by getting lost. A digital hospital wayfinder alleviates this frustration by helping people reach their destination via the easiest possible route.

2. Saves Time for Patients, Visitors and Staff 

Finding the most direct route saves time and reduces irritation. In a healthcare setting, saving time can have implications beyond mere convenience, a life may depend on it. Whether a situation is life-threatening or not, time is always precious for a patient heading to a test or a healthcare worker operating at warp speed.

3. Enables Staff to be More Focused and Efficient 

We are more aware than ever of the massive burden on healthcare workers. If visitors can navigate the building without asking for directions, it removes a frequent interruption for busy staff. Fewer interruptions mean greater focus, which leads to better productivity and a superior patient experience.

4. Reduces Congestion, Improves Traffic Flow and Raises the Vibration 

Reduced congestion contributes to a less stressful experience for everyone in an enclosed space. From a facilities management standpoint, better traffic flow is the ‘Holy Grail’. Freeing up nodes of physical congestion also upgrades the collective ‘vibe’ of the building, aligning with modern value-based care models that prioritize the macro-energetic aspect of the environment.

5. Increases Trust, Satisfaction and Brand Identity 

Modern wayfinding technology has the lingering effect of boosting trust. The fact that management has made it easy to find a loved one or a specific service is not lost on people. This positive impression translates to long-term satisfaction and increased brand loyalty.

The New Standard: Universal Accessibility

A major focus for healthcare management is ‘Universal Design,’ the idea that a building should be usable by everyone, regardless of their physical or cognitive ability. Effective wayfinding in hospitals has become a cornerstone of this movement. It is no longer enough to just have a map; the system must be inclusive.

Today’s version of a hospital wayfinder often includes features like high-contrast text for the visually impaired, wheelchair-friendly route suggestions and multi-language support. This ensures that elderly patients and those facing language barriers can move through the facility with total independence. By investing in inclusive wayfinding in hospitals, facilities are meeting modern standards while ensuring that no patient is left feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion 

In the competitive acute-care market, an indoor navigation system that bridges the gap between complex spaces and the people within them offers a healthcare facility a prime opportunity to excel in user experience. Ultimately, it is a value proposition that fosters long-term loyalty.

Mapsted is an industry leader and innovator in location-based indoor-outdoor navigation apps for hospitals and healthcare facilities. Our hardware-free system uses proprietary location technology that provides incredibly accurate real-time positioning. Our clients include prestigious healthcare centres around the globe.

Please contact us to find out how we can help you improve wayfinding in your healthcare facility.If you would like to know more about how Mapsted’s solutions can elevate your facility, you will enjoy this short video on Maximize Hospital Efficiencies With Location Technology.

What’s Covered in This Blog

This blog explores the transformative role of wayfinding in hospitals, highlighting how these systems enhance patient experiences, streamline operations and bolster hospital branding. Key topics include:

• Understanding Wayfinding in Healthcare: An introduction to the significance of wayfinding and its impact on patient navigation and satisfaction.
• Challenges in Hospital Navigation: A discussion on common navigation issues within clinical settings and the necessity for an effective hospital wayfinder.
• Technological Advancements: Insights into digital wayfinding in hospitals, including tools like interactive kiosks, mobile apps and digital signage.
• Benefits of Integrated Systems: An examination of how a comprehensive hospital wayfinder reduces stress, improves efficiency and enhances patient trust.
• Implementation Strategies: Guidance on adopting navigation technology with a focus on user-centric design and infrastructure integration.
• Case Studies and Real-World Applications: Examples illustrating the successful deployment of wayfinding in hospitals and the positive outcomes achieved.