Title: Design for Healthcare Facilities Management: A Way Finding Project for the Braga Central Hospital’s External Care Unit
Stream: Design for Society
Presentation Type: Oral Presentation
Authors:
Eliana Penedos-Santiago, ID+ / University of Porto, Portugal
Pedro Santiago, University Fernando Pessoa, Portugal
Sérgio Correia, esad-idea / Escola Superior de Artes e Design, Portugal
Abstract:
This paper stems from a 4-year way finding design project conceived upon request of Braga Central Hospital in Portugal. In the year of 2014, the Hospital reported that 30% of the patients failed to attend previously scheduled appointments at the Hospital's External Care Unit. According to a survey conducted among the patients, this failure was predominantly due to disorientation caused by the lack of signage. This project aims to correct this communication obstacle, thus improving healthcare management by increasing the efficiency of the medical services streams.
A service design methodology was used through a service blueprint, to map circulation flows, processes and systems that take part of the medical experience provided by the hospital. Design research methods, including informal interviews and focus groups with health professionals and hospital staff, were also implemented. The implementation of both orientation and identification way finding objects was gradual, divided into 4 separate stages: (i) external accesses to the hospital External Care Unit, (ii) stairs and lifts with exclusive access to and within this unit, (iii) hospital five floors’ receptions and general circulation areas and (iv) medical specialties restricted circulation areas. In 2017, the Hospital was granted the maximum score, by the Portuguese National Health Assessment System, in Clinical Excellence, Safety, Satisfaction and Focus on the Patient and Adequacy and Comfort of the Facilities.
Conference Comments & Feedback
Place a comment using your LinkedIn profileShare this Presentation
Comments
Powered by WP LinkPress