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10 Benefits of Hospital Digital Signage

10 Benefits of Hospital Digital Signage

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

Digital Signage for hospitalsHospital 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 

digital signage kiosk wayfinding arreyaHospitals 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 

Corporate Digital SignageHospitals 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

Digital Signage for HospitalsHospital 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.

Using Digital Signage for Emergency Messaging

Using Digital Signage for Emergency Messaging

digital-signage-school-emergency-messagingNatural disasters, security breaches, and fires cause major damage to businesses. While not every business will experience these dangerous situations, it’s important that all are prepared for the worst.  Emergency planning and management is critical. Business owners are responsible for the safety and well-being of their employees and customers.

Businesses are using digital signage for emergency messaging, notifying everyone at a moment’s notice, saving time, and even lives. Integrating alerts into digital signage has become law in many states. Along with locking doors and limiting access to buildings, the alert systems are a natural fit to keep people safe.

Hurricanes and Other Natural Disasters

Hurricanes devastate the coastal communities, leveling buildings and causing power outages for hundreds of thousands of people. While the damage will take years to repair, and many businesses will be reeling from the impact of the hurricane, physical safety of individuals will always take precedence over property.

Digital signage is an excellent tool for emergency messaging, because it allows businesses to alert customers and employees to impending danger. Digital signage also deploys vital information after storms have hit. Employees access content from cell phones, keeping up on the latest reports of damage and company news/updates. 

Businesses and schools need a plan to keep everyone safe in the event of natural disasters, like Hurricane Ian. Once a plan is in place to keep everyone safe, the next consideration to be made in an emergency plan should be to preserve property. When it comes to weather-proofing digital signage, one key step, which may seem counterintuitive, is to leave the displays on. While we might think we should turn them off, or even unplug them, experts recommend leaving digital signage running. This is because the internal fans will continue to run, which slows the accumulation of condensation within the device.

LEARN MORE about preparing digital signage for hurricanes.

Alerting Software Integration

Digital Signage for AlertsWhen disasters strike, every second counts. Through the integration of alerting software, digital signage displays emergency messaging instantaneously. Businesses save time and headache with a one click solution, displaying alerts on thousands of screens in seconds. Emergency messaging is tailored to each business and each specific situation.

For example, a school may use digital signage to set up one emergency message for a lockdown situation, a second for inclement weather, and a third for a fire in the building. Whatever the case, emergency messaging is easily customizable and effortlessly deployed.

LEARN MORE about triggering emergency messaging  for digital signage.

Key Candidates for Digital Emergency Messaging

Having a plan in place for various emergencies is key for virtually all businesses, but it’s specifically crucial for certain industries.

For schools and hospitals, digital signage is an essential tool for emergency messaging. These types of businesses are responsible for people who are more vulnerable, considering that they work with children and elderly populations. It’s imperative that their emergency plans are air tight, and that staff are able to react quickly and calmly. With the push of a button they can deploy emergency messaging to Arreya channels, taking over the content at a moments notice. When time is critical, alerting is easy.

Digital signage displays precise instructions for emergency messaging, giving instructions on what to do, where to go, and even what parts of the building are dangerous. Staff are able to take control of emergency situations more quickly and effectively as a result.

Keeping Stakeholders Safe Outside your Four Walls 

While the safety of customers and employees on location is of great concern, it’s also important to keep them safe after they leave. Businesses have more remote employees now than ever, and they need the ability to alert them to dangerous situations during working hours.

Digital signage software deploys emergency alerts to any device with internet access, not just the screens in the office. If inclement weather like a tornado or a hurricane is impending for an area where employees are located, digital signage software integrates with alert software to automatically alert everyone.

Replacing Outdated Emergency Messaging 

While sirens are useful for alerting multiple people at once, they provide little context as to where the danger is coming from or what to do to stay safe. Digital signage brings emergency messaging up to date, giving context to dangerous situations. Instead of bringing distress and panic like traditional alarms or sirens, digital signage provides clear instructions on where to go and what to do, no matter the situation. Maps and rendezvous points are displayed in the event of a fire, and directions to basements, bathrooms, and sturdy structures are provided for tornado warnings. In the case of a hurricane, like Hurricane Ian, digital signage displays evacuation routes and doppler radar.

LEARN MORE about the future of emergency messaging.

Preparing for the Worst

While we all hope we never have to deal with an emergency situation, and maybe we’d even prefer not to think about it, emergency planning is key to avoiding disasters. By using digital signage for emergency messaging, business owners are protecting their most valuable asset: their people. Replacing damaged property is expensive and inconvenient, but generally, everything is replaceable. Investing time and resources into an emergency plan is well worth it, and digital signage is a valuable tool in any emergency plan. Digital signage provides vital information designed to save lives through emergency messaging.