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Hospital signage,
Wayfinding in complex
buildings.
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Finola O’Sullivan CNS
Health Promotion Coordinator, Continence Advisor
Presentation on behalf of
Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan, Signage Group
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finola.osullivan@hse.ie
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Hospital signage,
Wayfinding in complex buildings.
Wayfinding –
is a collective term describing features in a building or environment
that facilitate orientation and navigation.
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According to National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA) one in 5 people
admit to having difficulty understanding the signs and directions in
Irish hospitals most of the time.
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Omnibus Health Literacy Survey, NALA/MSD, 2007.
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http://www.dailyedge.ie
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Describe our hospital signage and wayfinding work
Why, who, how
Show you our planned approach
Share knowledge gained
Give you some hints and tips
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Today's presentation
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A people friendly hospital and people friendly building
Opportunity to improve communication and
the patient, visitor and staff experience
Build public confidence
First impressions count
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Re-allocation of departments
Need for generic names (future proof)
New Emergency Department building
Smarten our appearance
Implement best practice in health literacy
Anecdotal, constant asking for directions
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Why bother, sure aren’t we grand ?
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Literacy friendly
Age friendly
Dementia friendly
Consistent design
Appropriately placed
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Best practice for signage wayfinding
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Audit, conversations and documents.
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What did we learn ?
People ask receptionist for:
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directions to a ward,
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patient enquiry,
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change for car parking; and
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general directions.
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Signage and wayfinding in old buildings is complicated.
 No ‘one size fits all’
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All staff audited:
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had been asked for directions;, and
 agreed signage needed improvement.
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External audit by Age Friendly Ireland highlighted;
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our good work (new ED signage ) and,
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our deficits (mismatched signage).
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Ward names are not appropriate (‘male’ and ‘female’)
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What did we learn ?, continued
Key signage style and design features including:
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clear colour contrast,
adequate font style and size,
use symbols,
consistent placement ,
avoid suspended signs,
use matt finish,
have good lighting at signage;
correctly use of the HSE Logo, and
meets Irish language requirements.
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Wayfinding is an element in standards for:
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 dementia friendly wards,
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 age friendly access,
 literacy friendly writing /plain English: and
 access for reduced mobility.
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Our Signage Group
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Who?
Representative committee
Lead by Health Promotion Coordinator and Intern
Chair Hospital Manager
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Meetings with agenda and actioned minutes
Sub group for Intern appointment from the Job bridge scheme
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Used email communication as much as possible
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Our project plan
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How?
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HSE Change Model to implement our project
Phase one, Research, audit, knowledge and completion of new
Emergency Department signage
Phase two, Agree to identify wards by number
Phase three, Temporary homemade signs erected; positive feedback
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100 new signs required including;
directory at reception,
department directional signage, and
department and ward entrance signage.
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Meetings with signage companies (design and price)
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Outcome, We await approval for funding .Research based relevant plan
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HSE Change Model
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https://www.hseland.ie
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Top tips for Wayfinding in complex hospital building
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Hire an Intern!
Plan the work
Keep notes and photographs
Conduct a slow walkabout, listen look and learn
Know your building’s future
Who uses your building ? - seek their opinion
What is the natural traffic pattern ?
Use best practice guidance
Test sample signage and ask for feedback
Work with a good sign writer
Involve a team, Keep a log, ongoing report
Engage an external audit (Age Friendly Ireland )
Email everyone you know !
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Our Lady’s Hospital, Navan
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General Hospital & Regional Orthopaedic Unit
ICU CCU ED MAU
Occupancy130 including day beds
(general orthopaedic endoscopy and medical
assessment)
OPD, Specialist Services in Diabetes
Rheumatology Heart Failure.
Campus includes Community,
Child and Family Services, Dental,
Department of Psychiatry ,DOC
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Suspended
sign at
reception
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No reception
or information
sign
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Reflection on
National
Charter
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Clutter
Confusing
information
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Arrows
‘all over the
shop’
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Arrows
‘all over the
shop’
Sign high
up on wall
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Unavoidable
suspended sign
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Font not
consistent
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Arrows both
sides
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Name on
door,
not above
door
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Name above
door
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‘Dept’ not
Department
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Equipment
draws the
eye away
from the
sign
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Red and
white
reserved for
emergency
and warning
signage
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Avoid
‘around the
corner’
arrows
Text
left not centre
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Large sign
versus
small sign
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• Arrows all ‘over
the shop’
• Varied font
• Varied alignment
• Extra coffee sign!
• Abbreviated words
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• Use of /
• Extra capital letters
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• No Irish
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Age Friendly Ireland
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Age Friendly Ireland audit in progress
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Emergency Department
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Emergency
Department
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Emergency
Department
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Emergency Department
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Wheelchair reserved space
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New signage
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Light on dark
background.
Symbols only
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Ariel sans serf font
Symbol included
First text in Irish
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Ariel sans serf font
Symbol included
First text in Irish
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Home made
sign added
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Before
After
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Exit sign
placed in line of
sight
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Before
After
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Using landmarks
for wayfinding
‘up the corridor
past the statue
on the right’
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
on
Co
nfe
ren

rom
oti

hP

alt

Wayfinding in old complex buildings is complicated
Hire an Intern!
Plan and revise
Keep notes and photographs
Conduct a slow walkabout, listen look and learn
Know your building function
Who uses your building ? - seek their opinion
What is the natural traffic pattern?
Use best practice guidance
Test sample signage and ask for feedback
Work with a good sign writer
Involve a team, Keep a log, ongoing report
Engage an external audit (Age Friendly Ireland )
Email everyone you know !
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To recap
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Krzywy Domek. Poland
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