Blog
Wayfinding often hampered by med speak
Healthcare Design magazine blog examines how word choice, acronyms can confuse hospital visitors
A blog by Healthcare Design magazine Editor-in-Chief Kristin Zeit recently discussed designer Kate Keating's wayfinding research. Keating's two-year study presented patients, visitors and other potential users with terminology currently used at a hospital in signage and other communications, and tested how well the terms were understood. According to the blog, only four out of 23 acronyms tested were correctly identified half the time or better. One hundred percent of those tested said they prefer layman’s terminology on signage over technical medical names.
Read the blog.
April 9, 2014
Topic Area:
Interior Design
Recent Posts
Arnold's Place demonstrates how design choices can promote dignity and a sense of control for those experiencing homelessness.
The center is planned to open in 2029, following the opening of the new O'Quinn Hospital along the North Loop at Lockwood.
The new 33,000-square-foot center is nearly three times the size of the original location off Second Street.
Healthcare facility managers need to keep medicine, machines, information and life-support systems operating when the surrounding infrastructure is not.
Inspiration Tower and Prism will serve as the new front door to UT MD Anderson.