HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS BENEFIT FROM DIGITAL SIGNAGE AND OTHER GRAPHICS Over the past 20 years or so, digital signage has forced the sign and graphics industry to re-think everything.  Signs were once a static product intended to accomplish a singular purpose, whether it be advertising, informational or wayfinding.  Fueled by the incredible leaps in technology, digital signage is being deployed in ways that nobody anticipated, and to the direct benefit of the end user. While these advances have found their way into all areas of signage applications such as product advertising, air and rail transportation and entertainment, few fields have benefited more profoundly than in the medical industry.  Hospital staff and patients have come to rely heavily on digital signage to deliver the real-time information they need to maintain the best medical outcomes. Wayfinding Most of today’s hospitals are labyrinth-like with many wings and often multiple buildings.  This is often intimidating if not overwhelming to newcomers. The days of getting good directions at the front desk from a kind volunteer are long gone. Wayfinding systems have become the norm in most hospitals.  These digital signs are programmable and easily editable.  So when things change in your facility, you can adapt on the fly. New patients are frightened.  When we can avoid adding confusion and frustration to their list, we should do so.  Wayfinding signage is a good step in that direction. Scheduling Today’s physicians are spread more thin than ever.  They are often juggling patients at multiple facilities.  It’s become necessary for both physicians, nurses and other staff to have a real-time visual schedule that includes of the physician’s location.  Staff can then plan their activities more efficiently and reduce patient wait time – which improves patient satisfaction. Real-Time Information Distribution Digital signage will improve the experience of the thousands or tens of thousands of visitors to your healthcare system.  With such large volumes of guests, it’s increasingly important that each and every person be accounted for and tracked through the system.  As our healthcare system continues to become more complex, our systems will need to adapt to keep up.  Digital signage offers tremendous opportunity to help manage the continued growth. Room Graphics While digital signs have made a profound impact on healthcare companies, more traditional types of graphics have been making great strides as well.  Most notably, wall graphics are being used more and more to improve patients in-room experience.  Wall murals are incredibly effective at bringing color and light to the usual four boring, grey walls.  Patient outcomes as well as satisfaction benefit from these types of graphics. Quality of life for patients and healthcare professionals is at a crossroads.  Both sides are feeling the pinch of continued legislation changes in the healthcare system.  This squeeze sees no end in sight.  Thankfully, there are technologies on the forefront, including digital signage, that will help reduce the stress and anxiety of those involved.