Why are so many healthcare companies opting for innovations like digital signage with Apple TV? Is it a trend, or is there something else at play? Do companies that use digital signs have some sort of advantage? Or are digital signs simply so cheap that those in the healthcare industry are looking for ways to use them without worrying too much about pragmatism? This article covers a few of the most common ways that digital signage can be used in healthcare practice.
Giving Directions to Visitors
Interactive digital signs are becoming more popular in hospitals because they help people find their way around the place. As you know, getting around a hospital can be very difficult due to its size, its layout, and the fact there are so many areas and parts. It is very sad when you see somebody trying to visit and they are in the wrong building and now have to go a long way out of their way to find wherever they are supposed to be going. Digital signs showing directions are fine, but interactive signs are really a step ahead of the curve.
Offering Up Information to Patients and Visitors
This was actually a very common element in vet’s waiting rooms and it has somehow found its way over into healthcare waiting rooms. In vet’s waiting rooms, you would see information about what you should do if your dog starts scratching, and information about how cats need a place to hide from loud noises. You would see advertisements for pet products and ads for vet services and insurance services. This has slowly transitioned over to modern healthcare practices where people are shown information about washing their hands to avoid infection and are shown ads for additional services and health/life/medical insurance.
Telling Patients When it is Their Turn
We are all used to the idea that people have to sit in the waiting room for their turn. There are many ways that these systems work where people may take a number or wait for their name to be called. With digital signs, people can see their numbers ticking down, or they may see their name pop up when it is their turn. Some practices are even able to show people how much longer they are going to have to wait.
Giving Clear Instructions For Each Area
There may be areas where masks need to be worn, or where people are not allowed to use vehicles, or where people are required to wash their hands before entering. Instead of having printed signs, health practices install digital signs that give clearer and more detailed instructions. These may include simple things like showing where the handwashing stations are, to more detailed instructions like telling people they shouldn’t eat before entering, or informing people of the risks of entering.
Selling to Your Visitors
As touched upon in an earlier point, you could use digital signs to sell things to your customers. You may have additional and optional services that people can pay for, or you may have insurance policies that you can sell. You may even sell space on your digital signs to other businesses (insurance businesses) including local businesses. After all, you have a captive audience and they will only be looking at first phones if you don’t give them something to look at.
You could also give digital signage information to people in your waiting room that is very specific to their circumstances. This may include information on your trans-gender bathrooms or information on when the practice is closing on that specific day. It may even give information on recent events, such as how well the expansion is coming along, or offer a quick bio of the newest medical professional who has joined the staff.
