Optimized Wayfinding Signage Positioning in Hospital Built ...
Optimized Wayfinding Signage Positioning in Hospital Built ...
As shown in Figure 9 , the Massmotion time occupied map analysis showed that patients stayed in area A (ED hall), area B (waiting area outside CR01), and area C (area outside EDC window). Patient time-consuming areas in the ED space had prominent partitioning characteristics because the subsequent analysis of the patient's VFA was based on the cumulative time agents spent viewing an object during their journey. Therefore, to ensure objectivity and comprehensiveness, this study divided the ED space into Q1 and Q2, two research regions ( Figure 10 ), and simulated them with different time range settings ( Table 2 ).
4.2. Simulation Result and Suggestions for Optimization
After setting the relevant parameters, the patients' VFAs within the ED built environment are shown in Table 3 and Table 4
According to the site observation records, simulation results, and interviews with hospital staff, this study identified 17 interior elevations ( Figure 11 ) for comparison with the simulation results.
There was no guidance signage on the wall surface described in Table 5 , which is in an area with a high density of pedestrian flow. Designers may consider placing signage in the high VFA to provide guidance information for patients after consulting with doctors ((a) in Table 5 ). For visibility of signage, the identification signage in the c22 region should be moved to the medium VFA c19 region, and the wall-mounted signage in region b21 should be changed to the protruding form. The field observation record showed that there was still confusion about information gathering created by element layout problems such as excessive visual elements, which required systematic rearrangement ((b) and (c) in Table 5 ).
Considering that the elements on the wall surface analyzed in Table 6 are mainly medical equipment, and the signs of the 01 wall can meet the guiding demand of this area, there is no need to arrange other signage on this wall.
Table 7 shows that signage in this area indicates that both entrances are channels for hospital staff and have no patient access; therefore, there is no need to add additional signage.According to the analysis in (a) in Table 8 , the recommendation for optimization is fitting the guidance signage at a suitable height in region 16'17 and cooperating with the up-hanging signage to provide guidance to the OR and other programs on the hospital's western side. The a30'd30 area is in a high VFA, and the suggestion is to add identification signage of EDIR to guide patients to register their personal information here.
The accumulation of patients' eye fixation time on the wall surface formed by the patient flow from the consulting room to other location nodes shaped the high VFA in region 15'17 ((a) in Table 9 ). Therefore, the suggestion is to arrange guidance signage at an appropriate height in region 15'18 to provide guidance for patient flow heading to EDP, EDC, and location nodes in that direction.
The field observation record showed that there is still confusion about information gathering created by signage layout problems such as blur classification and font size ((b) in Table 10 ). The field research found that the electronic screen blocks the protruding signage of the first-aid room. According to the analysis in Table 10 , the suggestion is to move the b17 region signage to the b14 region and integrate the original b13'c13 and d14 region signage into single identification signage introducing the first-aid room function and location. Since the electronic screen provides patients' first aid information to their companions waiting in the ED hall waiting area, the recommendation is to change its location to the wall surface shown in Elevation 05 ((a) in Table 10 ) to solve the problem of blocking and confusion. At the same time, we recommend placing guidance signage at appropriate heights in 1'7 regions to guide the patients' flow from consulting rooms to the medical technology location node. This can a specific guiding role for the people who need to go to EDC and EDP located in blind areas ((d) in Table 10 ).
According to the analysis in Table 11 and the patient flow characteristics observed during field observation, the suggestion is to arrange guidance signage guidance in the 6'13 regions with high VFA for patients who need to visit the location nodes of EDP, EDC, and EDL.
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Table 12 (b) shows that EDP and EDC are in the blind spot of patient flow in the direction from Q1 to Q2. The suggestion is to set guidance signage about EDP and EDC at the appropriate height at 9'10 high VFA. Meanwhile, as region 1'3 is near the washroom entrance, correlative identification signage can be set at the appropriate height in region 3 ((a) in Table 12 ).Table 13 (b) shows that all the signage is positioned on the windows of EDC and EDP. The suggestion is to move the EDC identification signage in region b10'12 down to region c10'12 to ensure its visibility to patients. Field research records showed that patients needed the EDC staff to guide them to the next location node after billing according to the on-site observation record. This situation reduces the efficiency of EDC on some level. The recommendation to solve this problem is to set a map of the ED floor plan on the EDC window to guide patients who need to go to the medical tech departments for examination. Moreover, this study proposes increasing the size of EDP identification signage equal to the signage of EDC to improve the visibility of EDP location in space.The recommendation is to set guidance signage at the appropriate height in region 1 ((a) in Table 14 ) to guide patients heading to the Q2 location node after billing according to the field observation record.
Table 15 (a) shows that the EDL window occupies most of the wall surface, which contains too much guidance information about the clinical process that confuses patients. The recommendation is to rearrange the information to make the testing process guidance clearer. Moreover, the wall does not have any location-related signage. The up-hanging signage provides the location information of the EDL in the space, which is within the field of view. However, the EDL consists of two testing windows, and we suggest adding identification signage in region c10'11 and region c18'19 to help the patient find the required testing window. The size of signage can refer to the identification signage of the EDP window.Field observation records showed that most patients passing through this area need to go to the UR and RR. On the basis of the analysis in Table 16 , this study suggests setting the guidance signage with the direction of UR and RR at the appropriate height of the VFA in this area. Table 16 (b) shows a giant promotional poster in region 23'27; to arrange the guidance signage properly, the suggestion is to change the poster position.
Field observation records showed that most patients passing through this area are returning from UR and RR to Q1 departments, indicating that they are about to complete their ED journey. Therefore, on the basis of the analysis in Table 17 , no additional wayfinding signage is needed.
On the basis of the analysis in Table 18 , the suggestion is to arrange the guidance signage about the RR location node in the region 1'2 high VFA.
Table 19 (b) shows that the wall is located close to RR. The suggestion is to place guidance signage at the appropriate height of region 1'2 to guide patient flow heading to RR.The field observation records showed no queue in the RR location node during the night, which explains why VFA did not exist in the simulation results ((a) in Table 20 ). Future studies can use eye-tracking technology or VCA concepts to determine the rationality of the current signage positioning.
As for VFA, the signage location on this wall surface is reasonable ((a) in Table 21 ). However, there is room for further optimization, such as the font size and color of the signage.
Table 22 (a) shows that the floor graphic signage system in Q1 was within the range of high VFA and medium VFA. Although the location is reasonable, there are still problems such as excessive color-coding and disharmony with the existing signage system. Table 22 (b) shows that the signage system as a special element in the ED hall cross-traffic area (A3 area) confuses users. This study proposes rearranging the floor graphic signage and redesigning the floor graphic signage system for a clear and coherent purpose. The direction of optimization can be determined in future studies on the basis of the requirements and expectations of hospital stakeholders.The central space of Q2 is the outpatient hall, and the existing floor graphic signage is positioned for outpatients. Signs 4 and 5 near the entrance of the outpatient hall mainly provide the direction information to the ED ((d) in Table 23 ). Signs 2 and 3 are used to maintain order for the elevator queue ((c) in Table 23 ). Only sign 1 is used to guide patients to the RR ((b) in Table 23 ). Interviews with hospital stakeholders indicated that the lower amount of floor signage in Q2 was to keep the space clean and simple and reduce the interference of patients' wayfinding journey. The suggestion is to arrange floor graphic signage in region A4, where the VFA is high, to guide patients to the RR location node.
Table 24 shows the signage system optimizing approaches for each wall surface. This study identified that 11 walls (01, 04'08, 10'12, 14'15) need to add signage for a better wayfinding experience, and the corresponding layout position is put forward. The signage locations on the four wall surfaces (1, 6, 9, 12) need to change their existing position. Information on three wall surfaces (1, 6, 11) has a confusing situation, which can be improved by reorganizing the layout of different elements. At the same time, the field observation record showed that the clarity of the signage system on four wall surfaces (1, 9, 11, 17) can be improved by changing the form of the signage and unifying the font size. Table 25 shows that most optimizing approaches for floor graphic signage occur in the Q1 area because the current situation has unclear guidance and chaotic identification. The optimization effect can be achieved by changing the layout of the ground signs and coherence in terms of color selection.As a simulation and optimization example, this research studied the vision focus area of patients during their clinical journey in the ED space. This method can yield targeted and practical suggestions to optimize the positioning or amount of signage, increase the efficiency of the wayfinding system, and smooth the patient's wayfinding task.
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