Digital Wayfinding and Building Directories in Healthcare Environments

The popularity of digital directories and touchscreen wayfinding signage has been booming over the last five years, and there seems to be no end in sight. In fact, a recent MarketsandMarkets report has put the expected revenue for the global digital signage industry at $23.6 BILLION by the year 2020. While directories and wayfinding signage only comprise a piece of that spectacularly large pie, it does illustrate the importance of these products and the expectations that consumers will soon have for related devices. Over the next few weeks, we will take a close look at the different areas where interactive signage and building directories are having the greatest influence, starting today with the medical industry.

Imagine you’ve had a recent physical, and on a standard heart and lung scan, the doctor saw something -- possibly fluid -- that appeared atypical. She requested that you follow up with a CT scan so they can take a closer look. No one ever wants to hear that they need further testing for an abnormality -- it’s frightening and stressful, and the days, if not weeks, between hearing the word “atypical” and the actual appointment date can feel like years. The healthcare sector has made massive strides in helping to alleviate patient stress in these types of anxiety provoking situations -- within hospital or clinical environments -- by demonstrating how digital wayfinding can be integrated to positively impact patient satisfaction and comfort during their time on site.

Two of the nation’s largest hospital systems provide excellent examples of how adopting a truly patient-centered wayfinding solution: the Cleveland Clinic and the Mayo Clinic. Both campuses feature graphic- and content-rich interactive wayfinding kiosks, while Mayo takes it a step farther with the addition of a companion mobile app that allows patients to take the hospital footprint with them around the campus, so they are never without assistance. This easy access to both hospital and wayfinding information -- in facilities, and even on the go -- gives patients a sense of security and peace of mind in what is often already a stressful situation involving illness and its related discomforts.

What other industries are successfully deploying digital wayfinding and building directories? We invite you to follow RedyRef as we continue to explore the future of these technologies over the coming weeks. Already know that you want to take the plunge into high-tech interactive signage? RedyRef’s experts are available to assist organizations of all sizes; just give us a call at (800) 628-3603 ext 525 or submit a request for proposal online and our team will be with you every step of the way.