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

Aligning Construction and Facility Activities to Minimize Problems

Project managers need to address risks early to prevent issues during construction and renovation projects.


Cooper University Health Care Breaks Ground on 'Project Imagine'

The groundbreaking launched the first phase of a $3 billion expansion of the Health Sciences Campus in Camden, New Jersey.


3 Employees Injured by Patient at Halifax Infirmary's Emergency Department

Police contained the threat and took the patient into custody.


How Architects Shape the Future of Healthcare Facilities

Healthcare architecture is more than just designing and building hospitals.


UNC Health, Duke Health Form Partnership for Stand-alone Children's Hospital

The partners plan to break ground together on the new NC Children’s campus by 2027.


 
 


FREE Newsletter Signup Form

News & Updates | Webcast Alerts
Building Technologies | & More!

 
 
 


All fields are required. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

 
 
 
 

Healthcare Facilities Today membership includes free email newsletters from our facility-industry brands.

Facebook   Twitter   LinkedIn   Posts

Copyright © 2023 TradePress. All rights reserved.