Part Two, Page 3
Natural lighting needs are best taken into consideration during a hospital's architectural design phase. For existing facilities, providing ample amounts of artificial light should be a high priority. Exceptions to the lots-of-light rule are Intensive Care Units and Recovery Rooms. In both areas low levels of light are recommended.
Wayfinding
The practice of designing and implementing a facility's direction-giving system is called wayfinding. The lobby directory, the information desk, site maps, directional and room identification signs are all part of wayfinding. Inadequate wayfinding is a major problem for many hospitals.
Studies have shown that visitors and outpatients have a chronically difficult
time finding their way around hospitals. This creates stress and disorientation.
There are also hidden costs. All day long hospital employees, other than
receptionists, are giving out directions. The results are lost time and an
irritated staff. [3]
The visual aspect of wayfinding is directional and room identification signage.
One problem with signs may be inconsistency. Facilities will sometimes
abandon the original designs and go with different looking signs for new wings
or recently renovated areas. This can be disorienting. Another problem is out
dated signs. Room uses change, departments move but the signs remain the
same. This causes confusion.
Sign visibility and legibility is another problem. This may be an indication that
the wayfinding system was inadequate from its inception. One last problem is
over signage. Too much information causes overload.
The overall problem can be hard to solve. Sometimes scrapping an older sign
system and creating a whole new one is in order. If solutions are not obvious
hiring a professional can help. Wayfinding consultants may seem expensive
but they are a cost that is incurred perhaps once in a decade, while an
ineffective wayfinding system causes problems and runs up costs every day.
Sign legibility should not be a problem if the designer follows the rules set
forth in the Americanís with Disabilities Act.