Picture this:
Mary entered the hospital; her father had a massive heart attack. She was very nervous and anxious and was unable to find the emergency ward. No proper emergency ward route signs were available to tell her the same. As the crucial minutes were ticking by, not being able to find her way through was raising the anxiety levels. She was so perplexed and didn’t know what to do. Finally after a long time, she located the emergency ward. Her father was given the treatment immediately but the extra minutes wasted in finding the correct place to report proved fatal. Though she managed to reach the hospital in time, her efforts failed to save her father’s life. This wouldn’t have been the case if proper signs could have helped her discover the emergency ward as soon as she entered the hospital.
Can you image something like this happening to you? In all probability, your answer is No.
Hospital signs are a vital asset for all health care facilities. Visitors entering a hospital are generally worried, confused and bewildered. Adding to stress, hospitals are a network of long hallways with many rooms to be crossed to reach the specific department. Effective hospital signs can reduce this added stress by guiding the visitors without wasting any time.
In addition to avoiding time-delay consequences, apt warning signage is required in other areas of the medical facilities as well. Hospitals deal with chemicals, hazardous wastes and drugs on a regular basis. Exposure to which can also be harmful. Appropriate signs like hazardous waste signs, radioactive area sign, and PPE signs need to be posted to keep people on the guards. Wastes should be disposed off as soon as possible and respective signs should be posted to warn people. Otherwise diseases can spread if any one touches a contaminated container. A well-placed informative sign will assist people not to touch any containers kept in hospitals.
The nature of emergency care profession requires that proper signs should be applied at proper places. This will help avoid difficulties in certain situations. Right signs in a hospital can help people locate where they need to go. Hospital safety and warning signs ensure the safety of the patients, staff and visitors.
Updating and implementing correct signs help create solid trust for the hospital due to the professional and organized approach. Proper planning and careful selection of hospital signs is money well spend.