Over 82% of adults in the US visited a health care professional in the past year. (That’s over 1 billion appointments!) But most arrive at those appointments anxiously. Whether it’s fear of a diagnosis or worry about the cost, they’re ill at ease and hoping they made the right choice with the right doctor. Believe it or not, signage can boost their confidence. In this article, we’ll cover X ways you can support your visitors and staff through healthcare signage and put them all more at ease.
1. Branding Your Health Signage
People want to be reassured that they’re in the right place. Including your name and logo on your signage helps visitors feel welcome and reminds them they’re exactly where they need to be. Using brand colors, fonts, and styles also helps tie the visuals together with your printed and digital material and gives visitors a unified experienced.
Your healthcare signage can also help tell the story of your healthcare facility or group. Do you have a compelling history of care? Create a wall graphic to walk people through your origins, particularly the “why” of your story. This legacy of caring and attention increases confidence that you know what you’re doing and why it matters to you.
Highlight staff members who make a difference in your facility. When people see their doctor, CNA, nurse, receptionist or a janitorial staff member honored in this way, they more fully understand your values as an organization.
Learn more about the 3 keys to a strong brand here.
2. Messaging for Your Healthcare Signage
Messaging in your facility with have a variety of audiences. Reminders in exam rooms to “wash your hands often” are directed at nurses and doctors, but they affect your visitors as well, letting them know that their safety and health are important to you as an organization. Biohazard warnings are the same: few people will be close enough to be affected, but many will see the signs and know you’re careful with materials. Signs for ambulance and patient loading areas let drivers know where to wait for patients, but also let everyone else know to keep the area clear.
As you examine your facility signage, consider how various groups of people will interpret the information they see. You want all people groups to navigate your facility well and feel confident as they do it.
Treat your interior space like a storefront and sell your brand in every space. Learn 3 ways vinyl signage can help you accomplish this here. You can also brand your awning and any outdoor umbrellas!
3. Directional Signage Inside & Outside Your Facility
Let people know how to get from where they are to where they need to be. From exterior signage to entrance points, patient waiting areas to offices, visitors should never be in doubt about where to find what they need. Outdoor signage, a-frame signs, and overhead signs are great for this.
This also includes restroom facilities, emergency exits, and any beverage or food area. Consider the needs of every visitor, then take a fresh walk through your doors. Are things labeled well, and is your space easy to navigate? If not, brainstorm with your team on how to make visiting your facility a better experience.
4. ADA Compliance Signage
Just because their main purpose is to inform, your ADA compliance signs don’t have to be boring. This type of signage helps everyone, including those with disabilities, navigate your space safely with greater ease. These types of signs fall into two categories:
- Those that define a permanent space in your facility
- Those that provide direction to or information about these permanent spaces.
Both types include overhead directional signage like where to find the bathrooms or wheelchair accessible entrances. They also include safety signage like telling people where to find the exits, stairs, and anything identifying any hazardous.
Digital printing can transform your ADA signage by including subtle patterns or textures or full-color images. Not only does this bring greater attention to these vital signs, it adds beauty to your facility and helps visitors feel cared for.
When you consider all 4 areas as you create your healthcare signage, your visitors will be able to move about more safely and confidently and you’ll boost your staff’s productively and effectiveness.