Hospitals need to distribute information quickly and efficiently. Not only do they need to care for patients, they also need to direct everyone to the right place at the right time. Hospital digital signage is being used in many aspects of patient interactions. Using digital signage for wayfinding, check-ins, and waiting rooms. Since it provides a better experience for patients, and helps staff stay organized and up to date, digital signage is an essential tool for hospitals and clinics. The COVID19 pandemic brought questions about touchscreens and along with it new innovations in touch free and touchless interactions.
1. Wayfinding
Finding your way around can be difficult, especially in larger hospitals. When urgency is the key, obstacles like navigation can increase stress and anxiety in visitors and patients. Hospitals are using digital signage for wayfinding, and they’re experiencing some excellent benefits as a result.
Digital signs display virtual maps, and by using voice assistants, patients simply ask where they need to go and get answers instantly. Voice assistants answer questions through speakers built into the interactive digital signage. Patients also use touch screens and tablets to navigate maps. Hospital administrators can easily update maps, unlike paper counterparts which need to be thrown away and reprinted. Using digital signage for wayfinding allows hospitals to cut back on waste, improve patient experience, and save time. LEARN MORE about using digital wayfinding for hospitals.
2. Checking In
Hospitals are using digital signage for check-ins now more than ever. This is mainly due to the pandemic, aiming for less contact and therefore less risk of spreading COVID19, but there are also other benefits of using digital signage for hospital check-ins. Patients type in their names or phone numbers and check in through their phones or on a touch screen, eliminating the need to have a dedicated staff member waiting to check everyone in. Once patients have checked in, staff are notified through an email, a display alert, or an audio alert. Patients are able to see estimated wait times and their place in line on digital signage as well as their phones.
Remember, at Arreya, digital signage is any device with a screen. So your wayfinding can be seen on tablets, phones and computers. Beyond the traditional one screen digital signage.
3. Waiting Room Entertainment
Patients and family members will inevitably spend some time in the waiting room. Hospitals are using digital signage in waiting rooms to entertain people with an array of different content. Digital signs display sports scores and updates, weather, healthy tips, and breaking news. Patients select what they want to view by navigating through presentations on touchscreens and tablets by using digital signage until they find what they want to view.
4. Digital Donor Recognition
Digital donor recognition is an excellent solution for hospitals. Many hospitals would not be able to execute their life saving work without generous donors.
Hospitals use digital signage to recognize past and present donors, displaying names and donation amounts on screens throughout the hospital. Digital signage software makes it seamless and easy to update or remove names from lists, and updates are deployed instantly. Not only are current donors recognized, but new people are encouraged to donate as well.
Celebrate specific donor stories with video content. Publish a calendar of events for donors and add a point-of-sale portal for donations at the kiosk.
Digital donor recognition also allow the foundation to extend their reach beyond the typical borders of their donors. Because the content is viewable on any device from anywhere
5. Call Lights and Room Service
Patients often need to stay in their beds for most of the day when recovering. Nurses answer call lights, bringing medicine, food, or water to patients throughout the day. Hospitals use digital signage to notify nurses when help is being requested, and patients make requests from buttons or tablets located within reach of their beds. Nurses and patients view vitals on screens in real-time by using blood pressure cuffs, heart monitors, and other vital tracking devices in conjunction with digital signs. Nurses and doctors are instantly notified with alarms if a patient’s vitals reach dangerous levels.
Another option is to make one of the TV channels in the patient rooms an information channel. Information specific to patients including cafeteria menus, visiting hours, hospital regulations and special events can be seen by each patient. As easy as turning on the television.
6. Hospital Information
Hospital marketing is a perfect fit for digital signage. Welcome visitors with calendar of events, cafeteria menus, promotion videos, weather and much more.
Digital signage is an excellent tool for hospitals to keep up with events throughout the year. Hospital admins schedule content in advance, loading up presentations with holiday specials and countdowns to the date. Content takes minimal time and effort to set up and update, yet it’s so enticing to look at the dynamic media. All screens connected to the specific Arreya channel will display holiday content throughout the hospital simultaneously, in the waiting room, in the cafeteria, and even in different branches or buildings. Spread the cheer with current information.
7. Health and Wellness Information
Hospitals use digital signage for displaying population health data, like vaccine rates. This application is heavily used, particularly since the onset of the COVID19 pandemic.
Hospitals display infection statistics, which are updated automatically. QR codes and links are also displayed on digital signage, so patients and visitors can access information from the CDC, FDA, or other health authorities from their phones.
Kiosks can include hand sanitizer and other sanitation products in an effort to keep germs under control. Vulnerable patients can feel at ease coming to appointments.
8. Cafeteria Menus
Hospitals need a way to display changing cafeteria menus, and the menus need to be clear and easy to read. Digital signage is an excellent tool for hospital cafeterias, because updates are easy to make, schedule and deploy instantly.
The font is adjustable, and the screens are bright and precise. Content is made ADA compliant, and hospitals no longer need to waste time, money, and material on paper menus. With digital cafeteria menus, visitors and patients can view throughout the hospital. Pushing more people to eat in the hospital.
9. Recognizing Hospital Workers
Hospital workers are vital to our society. This is extremely apparent in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nurses and doctors work around the clock, risking illness, especially during early 2020 when personal protective equipment was scarce.
Hospitals are using digital signage to recognize their hard workers. Patient testimonials are displayed on digital signs as well as recognition programs throughout the year. Celebrate wins and successes to motivate employees to continue their efforts.
LEARN MORE about how healthcare workers are being recognized with digital signage.
10. Healthcare Employee Communication
Behind the scenes, communication is vital to any business, but perhaps it’s even more critical for hospitals and health systems. Patients need the right medication and the right dosage, and timing is critical as well.
Digital signage continues to improve communications within the healthcare industry today. Medical charts are updated and displayed instantly, keeping nurses and doctors up to date on patient status and medical records. Digital signage is displayed throughout hospital break rooms and offices, keeping everyone up to date on events and announcements.
LEARN MORE about the benefits of digital signage for healthcare employees.
Improving Patient and Employee Experience
Digital signage is the ultimate tool for hospital communication. Both internal and patient communications are streamlined and more effective through the use of digital signage. Doctors and nurses view critical, up to date medical information, while patients view entertaining content in the waiting room. The number of screens and channels of content are customizable, making digital signage scalable for hospitals of all sizes.
Digital signage is improving the experience of patients and healthcare workers today, and future applications will only make it more valuable for hospitals in the future.