Article

America's 'most wired' hospital amps up interactive IT

A Pennsylvania hospital rolls out interactive video kiosks to improve patient communication.

July 30, 2013 by Christopher Hall

As one of today's fastest growing industries, health care provides a setting that is rife with use cases demonstrating the need for interactive technology.

But although the theoretical usefulness of such technology is seldom denied, not all health care establishments have embraced its full potential. For those hospitals and offices that do embrace the tech trend, such as Doylestown Hospital in Doyelstown, Pa., patients, visitors and staff stand to reap the benefits.

Doylestown Hospital recently announced that it will soon be deploying interactive kiosks and digital signage from A/V marketing company Spectrio — aimed at providing improved wayfinding, information services and news to patients and visitors.

In the coming weeks, Spectrio will upgrade the hospital's existing first-generation video solution to make better use of technology to serve patients and their families, the company said. Spectrio's interactive video solution will serve as a companion to visitors and meet the three main objectives of health care digital signage, the company said: useful information, feeling of being at ease and wayfinding navigation of the facility.

One of the hospital locations set to host an interactive digital signage solution.

"At times a hospital setting can be a difficult place for visitors or patients to navigate," said Becky Stewart, director of marketing for the hospital. "Doylestown Hospital is pleased to work with Spectrio to incorporate digital signage at key intersections of the hospital to quickly inform visitors about their surroundings in a simple and concise manner. In addition, this signage will offer other opportunities to engage with the viewer as these signs will incorporate information about Doylestown Hospital physicians, services, events and more."

The company's interactive solutions will offer wayfinding services, information about classes and events, weather, health care news and more to hospital visitors, according to an announcement from Spectrio.

"Visitors can quickly find visual directions to their destination with the wayfinding directory on the kiosk," Spectrio Art Director Shannon Baker said. "After selecting a destination, simple instructions and a map will appear on screen, along with a unique QR code; if the visitor has a smartphone they can scan the QR code and carry those directions and map image with them as a reference."

Doylestown Hospital already is known as a technologically forward-thinking institution, having recently been named to Hospital and Health Networks Magazine's 2013 "Most Wired" list based on their IT infrastructure and upgrades.

"Information technology has potential in both the inpatient and outpatient settings to improve patient care and safety, and we continue our efforts to give patients and physicians access to critical health information," said Richard Lang, vice president and chief information officer at the hospital.

The interactive application is designed with HTML5 so its application can extend beyond the digital signage. Its touch capabilities are optimized for the best end-user experience, according to Spectrio.

The interactive video solution will not only be a functional tool, the company said, but also a critical branding asset, designed to reflect and enhance the hospital's branding and image efforts.

In addition to the interactive tools, Spectrio will be designing passive video content for waiting rooms and lobbies, as well as flexible kiosks which can be positioned in high traffic areas.

Learn more about interactive kiosks in health care and hospitals.