Low quality hospital whiteboards will fade over time, causing hospitals to slowly replace them one-by-one or in groups. This can easily lead to a single facility having many different types of communication boards scattered throughout the hospital, with some even differing from patient room to patient room on the same floor. While it may seem to make sense that hospitals only replace what needs it, there is a substantial benefit to outfitting an entire facility with whiteboards that all maintain design uniformity.

What is Design Uniformity?

Design uniformity doesn't mean all the information on every board in a hospital will be the same. Internal medicine patients have very different needs than those in maternity or intensive care. Design uniformity refers to a few key whiteboard features:

1. Style (classic whiteboards, glass whiteboards, frameless whiteboards, etc.)

2. Color choices (the colors used will be based on the hospital's brand)

3. Branded images and logos

4. General layout and flow of information (specific information will change in each department)

Even though the specific patient information fields on whiteboards will vary from area to area of a hospital, there should be uniformity among all the boards within each area. All patient room whiteboards can have the same design, and the same can be said for every whiteboard in maternity, pediatrics, emergency, intensive care, surgery, and even those placed at nurses stations and in administrative offices.

So why is design uniformity important?

Design Uniformity Increases Efficiency

Efficiency is a major goal for every organization, and healthcare professionals are in constant search of ways that they can do more with the little time that they have to treat and care for patients.

Boards that have a consistent design across all patient room will naturally increase the efficiency of nurses, hospitalists and other healthcare professionals that refer to them when they enter the room, and update them before leaving. Boards with a consistent layout make it easier for hospital staff to find the information they are looking for, and to know exactly which information to update before continuing their rounds. Consistent design uniformity is especially useful when patients are transferred to different rooms, as staff will easily be able to fill out a new board once the patient is settled.

Design Uniformity Increases Brand Appeal

A hospital's brand image is integral to its success. When similar care can be obtained at other hospitals, it is the brand that keeps patients coming back. Studies have shown that brand appearance has a direct effect on a hospital's service quality, patient satisfaction and intent to revisit. The same study notes that a hospital's brand image not only stimulates patient loyalty directly, but also enhances patient satisfaction through the improvement of perceived service quality, which in turn promotes the revisit intention of patients.

Few things define a brand more than uniformity. Strong, consistent brands earn more than patient loyalty, they also attract the more talented providers in a variety of different medical professions. When a hospital's brand maintains an appearance of quality across all areas, it earns the trust of patients, providers and many other industry partners.

Consistency is Calming

If every room in a hospital is designed differently, features different whiteboards and other equipment, and has a different look and feel, it creates a sense of disorganization and chaos. Hospital designers seek to create a sense of calm in the environments they design, and consistency plays a large role in that process. When patient rooms are uniform and appear in order, it helps convince patients that they are in good, competent hands. This sense of calm and trustworthiness can help increase satisfaction scores on its own.

Consistency brings order and peace of mind to patients, inconsistency leaves patients with a sense of disorder and can make them anxious about their stay.

Create a Consistent Design Today

Even with so many customization options to choose from, it's not hard to create whiteboard designs that are consistent across the hospital. Our team at VividBoard is always willing to help, but you can get started with your design by using out Board Builder tool. It's free and easy to use and will show you some of the many options you can choose for your whiteboards. Get in touch with us today if you have any questions.