![\"Warning](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/02-Warnings-and-Restrictions.jpg\")
<\/p>\nWhen someone visits a healthcare facility, they should find themselves in an environment that\u2019s easy to navigate and as stress-free as possible. From an administration perspective, each visit from a guest creates an opportunity for that person to stay with the practice or become a patient the next time they need medical care. For that to happen, the facility needs to impress the person.<\/p>\n
One aspect of a building\u2019s design can influence all of these factors and more: signage. Healthcare signage includes everything from the banners on the wall advertising flu shots to the directional signage guiding guests through the building. Let\u2019s take a close look at the uses for signage and the ways you\u2019ll see it used in a healthcare facility.<\/p>\n
Hospital signage can serve a wide range of purposes, from offering essential information to creating a comforting tone with atmospheric graphics.<\/p>\n
Below are some of the areas in which healthcare signage can go to work for a healthcare practice.<\/p>\n
Promoting your facility is a necessary component of running a hospital or practice. Signage offers you a place to talk about the services you offer, brag about your staff members and get people excited about upcoming events.<\/p>\n
Advertising also works to inform your clientele about the goings-on in the practice.\u00a0Flu shots, for instance, are something that doesn\u2019t always happen in hospitals anymore. People get them done wherever it\u2019s convenient. Make sure they know if your facility is one of those places.<\/p>\n
Advertising can occur in the form of traditional signs on windows and walls, or you can go for a bit more flair with elevator wraps, wall murals and digital signage. These sign methods can be more attention-grabbing and unique, plus they reach people at specific points of their visit, which you can use to your advantage.<\/p>\n
Outdoor advertising is also important for healthcare facilities. Outdoor flags can show people driving by that you offer the care that they need \u2014 especially during events like blood drives and screening sessions \u2014 while pointing them in the right direction. Many healthcare practices also advertise on vehicles to get their image out to the community.<\/p>\n
Hospitals can be massive. Between multiple, large wings and hallways that all look alike, it\u2019s no surprise that people need help getting around them.\u00a0Wayfinding and directional signage\u00a0is a necessity for hospitals and medical practices. These signs tell people where they are and where to go to find certain spaces. If you\u2019re looking for the reception area and see a big arrow with the word \u201creception\u201d under it, you\u2019ll probably have a good idea of where to go.<\/p>\n
These signs should be clear and easy to understand. Creativity is great, but clarity is typically the priority when it comes to directions. You\u2019ll also have to consider how these signs play into the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). For instance, signs need to be placed at a specific height and include Braille alternatives, but we\u2019ll talk more about that later.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Whether it\u2019s a high-radiation X-ray room or a room where phone signals can impact machine operation, warnings and restrictions are necessary in places all over a hospital. If visitors enter areas with radiation, lasers or biohazards, they could be exposed to dangerous substances that affect their long-term health.<\/p>\n
Keeping visitors out of these rooms prevents more than just health and safety risks \u2014 it can also help you prove, should litigation or questions from authorities come up, that you\u2019ve clearly demonstrated the dangers of that area.<\/p>\n
Warning signage is also critical for ensuring that staff members understand their environment. A badly conceived and designed healthcare setting can\u00a0increase the likelihood\u00a0of human error and clumsy behavior. In addition to the typical warning signage, marking containers or areas designated for biohazards or soiled linens can alert staff members to the dangers in front of them. They can then use the appropriate precautions to clean up or handle the substances.<\/p>\n
Again, these signs prioritize clarity and visibility, and there are likely some regulatory designs you\u2019ll have to stick to when displaying warning signs, such as those set in place by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).<\/p>\n
Brand recognition often goes hand-in-hand with advertising. The idea is to promote the values and qualities of your practice that make it worthwhile for patients to choose. Within brand recognition signage, you can promote the quality and skill of your staff, the rigorous standards you meet and the certifications that you have.<\/p>\n
Another aspect to promote is the values of your practice. Are you family-oriented? Do you have a strong focus on geriatric care or staff credentials? Emphasize these traits in your signage, and you\u2019ll show patients why your practice is the best choice.<\/p>\n
You can also use brand recognition outside of the building. Banners, flags and other outdoor signage can make patients aware of your practice so they know where to go when they need care.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s face it \u2014 hospitals can be dreary places. People are usually there for unpleasant reasons, and they\u2019re in a stressful new environment. This atmosphere, especially if it is poorly designed, can create stress for patients, making their experience unpleasant. Plus, stress has many\u00a0different negative effects on the body, which could potentially impact patients\u2019 care and recovery.<\/p>\n
Patients aren\u2019t the only ones who feel the influence of an upsetting environment. Healthcare workers, who already deal with the pressure of the hospital workload, can\u00a0struggle with occupational stress\u00a0than influences their performance and the doctor- or nurse-patient relationship.<\/p>\n
So how can signage help reduce stress in the workplace? It can show your patients and staff that they are in a place that cares about their wellbeing, that positivity and hope are at the forefront of the experience. Light, pleasant colors and comforting signage help send this message.<\/p>\n
Studies have shown\u00a0that the following aspects can influence the healing environment:<\/p>\n
These are all factors that signs can improve. You can brighten up a space with relaxing pastel colors, place a mural of happy zoo animals on the wall to add positivity to a children\u2019s ward or put up nature-themed artwork to make everyone feel more at peace.<\/p>\n
Children\u2019s wards and long-term care departments can especially benefit from positive environments. Kids are often more sensitive to their environment than adults, and a cold, clinical hospital can be scary and stressful, slowing the healing process. For those who are spending a long time in the hospital, a positive environment can have a big effect on day-to-day moods and stress levels.<\/p>\n
![\"Types](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/03-Types-of-Healthcare-Signage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
As you\u2019ve likely gathered, the signage of a hospital serves many purposes. It can advertise, comfort and inform, among other goals. That versatility applies to both large hospitals and smaller practices. With such an array of uses and sign locations, it stands to reason that you can use many different types of signs.<\/p>\n
Inside the facility, you might find the following signage options:<\/p>\n
Of course, if you want to get people inside, you\u2019ll have to add some outdoor signage too. These sign types include:<\/p>\n
Even with all of these options, we\u2019re just hitting the tip of the iceberg. Hospitals and private practices need to meet many needs, so they can use signs of all shapes and sizes.<\/p>\n
![\"Tips](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/04-Tips-for-Creating-Healthcare-Signage.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
As you begin to design signage for a healthcare environment, keep the following aspects in mind for the most effective results:<\/p>\n
SpeedPro studios across the country\u00a0have worked with hospitals and private practices to turn dreary, clinical environments into vibrant places that exude hope and quality care.<\/p>\n
One example of our work comes from Central New York, where SpeedPro\u00a0partnered with some of the largest health care systems and providers\u00a0in the area. Partners at those hospitals and practices worked with us to:<\/p>\n
![\"Healthcare](\"https:\/\/www.speedpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/05-Healthcare-Signage-From-SpeedPro.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n