Developing family-friendly signage in a South African paediatric healthcare setting
Journal Article
2014-11
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Authors
Journal Title
Curationis
Link to Journal
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
AOSIS OpenJournals
Publisher
University of Cape Town
Faculty
Series
Abstract
*Background: Multiple renovations and changing flow in a tertiary children’s hospital in Cape
Town resulted in numerous signs being posted in the corridors and units, making wayfinding
extremely complex. A request from nursing management prompted the formation of a learning
collaborative of nurses from all departments to improve wayfinding signage.
*Objectives: The project aimed to contribute to a family-friendly environment by reviewing
the current situation and developing signage to improve wayfinding and convey essential
information to parents, caregivers and patients.
*Methods: A participative action research method followed a four-stage process to facilitate
the development of family-friendly signage. Nurse participants reviewed existing signage
and collaboratively developed new signage templates and posted signs. The signage was then
evaluated using a rapid appraisal questionnaire involving 50 parents and nurse respondents.
At each stage of data collection, thematic content analysis was used to analyse data gathered
in process meetings and the reflections of participating nurses.
*Results: A design template and then 44 new signs were developed and used to replace old
signage. Respondents reported that the new signs were noticeable, looked attractive and were
easily understandable.
*Conclusion: Intentional and active participation of nurses in clinical paediatric settings
ensured collaborative data gathering and analysis. An inclusive research design allowed
for insights into the words and tone of posted signs that nurse participants had not noticed
previously. The participative redesign of signage resulted in a sense of ownership of the signs.
The support and involvement of hospital management throughout ensured that the resulting
signage received wide acceptance.
Description
Reference:
Leonard, A.L., Verster, A. & Coetzee, M., 2014, ‘Developing family-friendly signage in a South African paediatric healthcare setting’, Curationis 37(2), Art. #1250, 7 pages. http://dx.doi.org/10.4102/curationis.v37i2.1250