Logan Reid
Hospital signs are important for communicating information to patients, visitors, and drivers. They can be the difference between life and death, helping people navigate complex healthcare facilities and locate medical assistance. In hospitals, universal symbols and pictographs are often used to transcend language barriers and improve accessibility for those with low literacy. These signs may indicate the location of a nurse's station or direct patients to specific departments. Blue and white signs are commonly used to indicate the presence of a hospital nearby, especially on roads, and are often accompanied by placards pointing in the direction of the medical facility. Additionally, hospitals use signage to convey safety information, such as outlining the proper disposal of hazardous materials and used PPE.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To inform drivers about the presence of a nearby medical establishment |
| Target Audience | Motorists |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Placement | On roads |
| Variations | May be accompanied by a placard pointing in the direction of the hospital |
| Maintenance | Should be cleaned and replaced when worn out or hard to read |
| Compliance | Should comply with regulations, such as ADA and OSHA |
| Content | May include symbols, pictographs, text, or a combination |
| Examples | Red cross on a white background, arrows, text on floors |
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What You'll Learn
Universal hospital symbols
A symmetrical red cross on a white background is one of the most universally understood symbols of medical assistance. It was created at the 1864 Geneva Convention to introduce a standardised symbol of protection for medical personnel during wartime. While it is intended to indicate official Red Cross vehicles, workers, and buildings, it has been adopted in many cultures as a generic symbol for medical help. An exception to this is in predominantly Muslim countries, where the Red Crescent is used instead.
In 2004, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Hablamos Juntos, and the Society for Environmental Graphic Design (SEGD) collaborated to develop and test a set of universal graphic symbols for healthcare facilities. This initiative aimed to address the challenges faced by individuals with low literacy or limited English proficiency when navigating complex healthcare settings. The result was a comprehensive set of 56 graphic symbols, which have since been implemented in several US hospitals, including the Women & Infants Hospital in Providence, International Community Health Services in Seattle, Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City, and Grady Health System in Atlanta.
These universal symbols have proven effective in enhancing wayfinding within healthcare facilities, particularly for underserved populations and patients with diverse linguistic backgrounds. They offer a visual alternative to text-based signage, improving accessibility and understanding for all users. The symbols are designed to be easily understandable, eliminating language barriers and improving the overall healthcare experience.
Clear and universal hospital signage is of utmost importance, as it can be a matter of life and death in emergency situations. Additionally, maintaining signage is crucial. Worn or hard-to-read signs should be promptly replaced to ensure their effectiveness. Hospitals and care facilities must also comply with regulations, such as placing signs that adhere to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards.
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Blue and white service signs
In addition to their practical purpose, blue and white service signs also contribute to road safety by helping drivers navigate and make informed decisions. Understanding the colour conventions of traffic signage is vital for safe navigation. While blue and white are used for informational service signs, other colours have specific purposes. For instance, green is commonly used for guidance and direction signs, such as highway exit signs or mileage indicators.
It is important to note that hospital signage can vary internationally, and some hospitals have implemented universal graphic symbols to improve wayfinding, especially for individuals with low literacy or those navigating complex healthcare facilities. These universal symbols are often designed to be easily understood and can include pictographs or symbols commonly associated with medical assistance, such as a red cross on a white background.
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Wayfinding signage
Signage in hospitals should be visible, legible, and placed so that people can easily see them from a reasonable distance. They should guide patients and visitors to specific rooms, departments, or services with ease. This can be achieved through clear labels, colour-coded pathways, distinct landmarks, and unique lighting. For example, many hospitals use colour to distinguish different wings or departments.
To enhance the user experience, hospitals can incorporate interactive digital wayfinding kiosks, which provide detailed maps, step-by-step directions, and information about hospital services and amenities. Digital signage displays in waiting areas can also update patients on wait times. Additionally, digital signage can benefit staff by providing real-time updates and reminders about meetings, schedule changes, and assignments.
In terms of design, wayfinding signage can incorporate elements of biophilic design, connecting patients and visitors to nature through visual cues and materials, which has been shown to improve mental well-being and create a more calming atmosphere. Signage should also be maintained and cleaned, with worn or hard-to-read signs replaced promptly.
To ensure accessibility for all, wayfinding signage in hospitals should comply with regulations such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This includes features like Braille, large fonts, high contrast, and universal icons to assist all visitors, including those with disabilities. Custom-made directional signage can also add a touch of uniqueness to the hospital environment.
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Graphic symbols for low literacy patients
Hospital signage is important for wayfinding and conveying critical health information. In healthcare settings, signage can even be a matter of life and death. A well-known and universally understood symbol of medical assistance is the red cross on a white background. However, hospitals around the world are working on making their signage more accessible to a diverse range of patients. This is especially important for patients with low literacy, who may struggle to understand complex textual information.
Graphic symbols and pictographs have emerged as a solution to enhance wayfinding and convey key health information for patients with low literacy. In 2004, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Hablamos Juntos, and the Society for Environmental Graphic Design collaborated to develop and test universal graphic symbols for healthcare facilities. These symbols aimed to help patients with low literacy navigate complex hospital environments more independently. The project resulted in an extensive series of symbols that hospitals across the United States have since implemented.
Pictographs or pictograms are simple line drawings or standardised graphic images that convey essential health information. They are particularly useful for medication instructions, as they can illustrate when, how, and in what quantities medicines should be taken. For example, graphic design student Jonathan Stannard designed a medical symbol kit to help people in low-literacy areas of Sub-Saharan Africa understand their medications. Stannard's kit includes posters, stickers, and instruction sheets with symbols that can be placed directly on medication packages.
While pictographs are useful, patients do not always interpret them correctly. To improve understanding, studies have been conducted to redesign pictographs and establish effective delivery methods, such as via smartphones. These studies used card sorting and focus groups to identify pictographs that were challenging to understand and then worked with graphic artists to sketch improvements. Additionally, tactile symbols have been developed for individuals who are blind or visually impaired and cannot interpret pictures or written words. These symbols can be mounted on routine boards, used in communication books, or with voice-output devices, enhancing independence and communication for patients with multiple disabilities.
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Customised signs for specific needs
Signage is crucial in hospitals, helping patients and visitors navigate the facility and locate essential services. While some signs are universal, such as the red cross on a white background, hospitals often require customised signs to address specific needs and ensure effective communication.
Customised signs are particularly important in hospitals serving diverse patient populations, including those with limited literacy or language barriers. In such cases, graphic symbols and pictographs can be more easily understood than text-based signage. For instance, the Women & Infants Hospital in Providence and the International Community Health Services in Seattle have implemented universal graphic symbols to improve wayfinding for their patients.
Hospitals also customise signs to comply with legal requirements and safety standards. For example, hospitals in the United States must adhere to regulations set by the ADA and OSHA, which may include signage outlining the proper disposal of hazardous materials and used PPE. Customised signs help hospitals stay compliant and ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors.
Additionally, customised signs can be designed to fit the unique architectural layout of a hospital, ensuring effective wayfinding. Well-designed signage can guide patients and visitors through the facility, reducing confusion and helping them reach their destinations efficiently. This can be achieved through the strategic placement of signs, the use of arrows, and the creation of "flow lines," as demonstrated by Kenya Hara's design for the Umeda Hospital in Japan.
Customised signs can also be tailored to the specific services and departments within a hospital. For example, emergency departments may require signage for portable electronic devices like AEDs, which are used to diagnose and treat cardiac emergencies. By clearly marking the location of these devices, hospitals can improve emergency response and potentially save lives.
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Frequently asked questions
Inside a hospital, signs are usually designed to be easily understood by all, regardless of literacy or language. Pictorial signs, arrows, and symbols are often used, such as the red cross, which is one of the most universally understood symbols of medical assistance.
Hospital road signs are blue and white. They are square-shaped and have a white "H" on a blue background. They are often accompanied by a placard pointing in the direction of the hospital.
Universal graphic symbols in hospitals include those that indicate proper disposal procedures for items such as PPE, hazardous materials, and bodily waste. These symbols are often implemented to improve wayfinding and save costs on signage updates.
Hospital signs should be clear, functional, and visually effective. They should be regularly maintained and cleaned, with worn or hard-to-read signs replaced promptly. Some signs may be made of cloth to facilitate easy washing and changing.
