Which way you going, Billy?

Contractors last week began installing the new, user friendly wayfinding system at Richmond Hospital. New wall and ceiling signs have gone up in many areas on the main floor of the hospital, and walls have been painted down the north corridor (near Ambulatory Care and the Auditorium). More work will take place over the coming weeks with the entire system being installed and coming into effect in early September.

Our new wayfinding system includes coloured zones and symbols for each of the four major sections of the hospital, wall maps and wayfinding signage, and enhanced personal navigation services. To better serve the Richmond community, major wall signs and wayfinding maps will appear in both English and Chinese. Paper copies of maps will be available in both official languages as well as Chinese, Punjabi and Tagalog: the other top three languages spoken in Richmond.

This first phase of a wayfinding refresh is focused on the main floor of the hospital, however, major signage will be updated throughout the entire hospital.

As a result of the new wayfinding system – together with bed map changes and the push towards provincial naming standards – 18 departments and units will also have different names this fall. For example, 4 North will be known as 4 Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging will be known as Medical Imaging. Watch for more details on these changes in the coming weeks.

In order for our new wayfinding system to be clear and consistent, it is important that staff update all contact and patient information with their new contact information in early September. This includes everything from patient brochures and letterhead to email signatures. Information packages, with guidelines and templates, is being sent to each unit.

An effective wayfinding system helps create a sense of welcome and warmth and conveys comfort and safety. It also reduces confusion, stress and anxiety, especially in large, often intimidating spaces such as hospitals.

The striking colours, beautiful images and clear, consistent names, are just one critical component of an effective wayfinding system. Another important aspect of an effective wayfinding system is the willingness of staff and volunteers to acknowledge and welcome visitors and to actively approach and help those who look lost. Please be a good Richmond Hospital ambassador as you move throughout the hospital.

Our new wayfinding system will officially be launched in early September in conjunction with an official opening of our renovated atrium and the naming of the Milan Ilich Pavilion. The renovations are made possible thanks to a generous donation made to Richmond Hospital Foundation by the Milan & Maureen Ilich Foundation.

A fun, informal “Sneak Peek” of our new wayfinding system is being organized for next week – watch your email for details.