Have you seen some screens in hospitals guiding patients on where to go to? Well, that is the most common form of digital signage in a healthcare facility.
Digital signage is a controlled platform and is mostly used to relay digital content to one or many LED screens. It works as a network of digital displays that are centrally managed and addressable for targeted information, entertainment, merchandising and advertising.
Propelled by advances in display technologies (e.g. touch-screen), radiofrequency identification (RFID) and near-field communication (NFC), digital signage incorporates different technologies to enable personalized content, audience interaction, and content control.
Today, digital signage is found in many different places and they relay information such as weather news, instructions, menus (restaurants), flights (airports), teller service numbers (bank tellers), and other vital information. It makes it possible to deliver compelling content at the right location at the right time for maximum impact.
Every digital signage has four components:
- Software – A content management software (CMS) that allows you to show content on the display.
- Hardware – such as the displays or video wall media players, scheduling setup, matrix switches, video splitters, extenders and cables to connect sources and displays
- Content – This includes text, images, video, calendars, and everything else being shown on the display.
- Strategy – A plan to ensure personalized content and audience interaction. This includes choosing the right location with high traffic, timing, viewing height, designing effective content etc.
Most healthcare facilities today use a content management system to smooth patient service progress and other activities at the hospital. They can display when a doctor is needed in a certain room or guide them in the rooms they should be in.
Let’s explore the other different ways that digital signage systems improve health services.
1. Speeds up the intake of patients
Waiting for your appointment can be frustrating, especially when you just found a line and do not know how things operate. When a health care facility has a digital signage system, patients can quickly check-in and point out the service they want. They are then assigned a ticket number to wait for the specific service. Other functions of the digital signage system are records updating, bills management, print reminders, receipts, and scheduling future appointments. All this, in turn, quickens the intake of patients into the specific facility.
2. Reduces anxiety about appointments
Most people dislike doctoral appointments. This is majorly because patients don’t know what to expect in the doctor’s office. The good thing about the digital signage systems is that they provide entertainment to patients as they wait for service. If the ticketing or service numbers are not displaying, there is probably some music or clips showing on these screens. It reduces anxiety and the wait time.
3. Patients and staff members can quickly find their way round the hospital
Health care facilities are often large and experience huge traffic of people. As a first timer patient in the hospital, you may have difficulty locating all the rooms. The digital signage systems will help you find your way faster hence saving time. Since most of them have scalable digital display applications, you can even print an interactive map to the hospital for easier navigation.
4. Delivers emergency information
Emergencies occur even in hospitals. With the digital signage systems, the facility can communicate with its staff and patients concerning any emergency. For example, in a fire or security breach, a notification will be posted on all the screens and guide people to the safest emergency exit.
5. Decreases the cost of marketing materials
Marketing for a business can be a costly affair. While it is costly, it is also an essential part of business as it shows the general public your products and services. It further convinces them why they should do business with you. With digital signage systems, you can run advertisements and get the full attention of your patients.
Conclusion
Generally, the digital signage systems in a hospital enhance the quality of the services. Besides offering quick access to the hospital facilities and relaying information at the facility, they are also fun and reduce clients’ waiting time. For a facility to enjoy such services, it must find the right digital signage systems providers. They should acquire systems with scalable digital display applications so that the facility does not have to purchase more equipment and tools in the event of an enhancement.
