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Leading the Way
Toward Better Care

Starting Healthcare Signage & Wayfinding
Projects the Right Way

With the right approach, signage projects give healthcare designers the opportunity to shape patient journeys with clear and intuitive wayfinding.

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Contents:

Why wayfinding matters in healthcare environments

In healthcare environments, wayfinding is more than just signage. It directly impacts how patients, visitors, and staff experience and navigate a facility.
Here are four reasons it’s essential:

  • 1.

    Improves Patient Experience

    Reduces stress and confusion by providing consistent, intuitive guidance from parking to check-in.

  • 2.

    Supports Operational Efficiency

    Streamlined navigation means less staff time spent giving directions and fewer missed appointments.

  • 3.

    Accessibility & Compliance

    Better adherence to code and regulatory bodies like ADA, ABA, NFPA, and the VA Signage Design Manual helps increase accessibility and reduce infractions.

  • 4.

    Empathy-Driven Design

    Sign systems must accommodate a wide range of users, including those with physical, cognitive, or language challenges.

Wayfinding is the only component of facility infrastructure that affects a patient’s journey from appointment letter to check-in desk.

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START WITH A MASTER PLAN

Working with experts to develop a wayfinding master plan sets the standard and vision for the system as a whole. It gives you a clear path to realize the project all at once, or in phases over time.

  • Setting the Standard and Vision

    A well-crafted wayfinding master plan defines the system-wide strategy—establishing naming conventions, sign types, and design standards to ensure alignment across current and future projects.

    Without a master plan, upgrading signage through disconnected, small-scale efforts can lead to:

      • Patient Confusion & Stress
      • Reduced Operational Efficiency
      • Erosion of System Credibility
      • Decreased Return on Investment


    Start with a plan that brings clarity, consistency, and long-term value.

  • Program Just Prior to Implementation

    Sign message programming should follow the master plan—but take place just before each phase is implemented. Programming messages closer to installation allows you to capture the most up-to-date room functions, department changes, and circulation patterns. This ensures accuracy, reduces rework, and prevents the installation of outdated or incorrect information.

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Design, Build, and Maintain

The path to successful signage and wayfinding projects relies on partnering with a firm that can facilitate a 'Design, Build, and Maintain' approach.

Attributes of a Design, Build, & Maintain Approach:

  • Single Point of Accountability

    Streamlined communication and responsibility.

  • Integrated Design & Fabrication

    Seamless transition from concept to installation.

  • Phased Implementation Capability

    Adaptable to multi-year budgets and priorities.

  • Ongoing Maintenance Support

    Ensures system remains current with facility changes.

  • GSA Schedule BPA (for Federal Projects)

    Federal contract vehicle for flexibility, price assurance, and continuity.

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    Component-Based Sign Systems

    Due to the scale and life cycle requirements of large medical centers, it is important to choose a component-based product line and standardize around it. A successful system can last upwards of 15 years if properly maintained.

    Benefits of Component-Based Sign Systems

  • Unified Aesthetic

  • Easy Updates & Maintenance

  • Cost-Efficiency (Long-Term)

  • Future-Proof Adaptability

  • Reduced Signage Clutter

  • Streamlined Procurement

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    Building Systems That Last

    Wayfinding is more than signage—it’s the bridge between thoughtful design and a positive patient experience. When implemented well, it reduces confusion, supports staff efficiency, and creates an environment that feels welcoming and intuitive for everyone.

    By starting with a comprehensive master plan, implementing in strategic phases, and standardizing around a component-based system, healthcare designers can create spaces that are clear, compliant, and adaptable for years to come.

    Ready to design better journeys for your patients and visitors?
    Partner with experts who understand how to turn wayfinding into a strategic asset that enhances care, operations, and the human experience.

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