Costs and Effects of Ineffective Wayfinding in US Hospitals: A Survey of Hospital Staff.

This article assesses the magnitude and impact of wayfinding problems in US hospitals as perceived by staff. Problematic wayfinding in healthcare facilities is a persistent issue, leading to frustration, stress, fatigue, physical aggression, wasted time, and a negative organizational image. Despite anecdotal evidence, few studies have quantified the impacts of wayfinding problems.

Adapting to Change: A Systematic Literature Review of Environmental Flexibility in Emergency Departments.

Purpose: This study aimed to offer a comprehensive analysis of distinct design strategies identified, evaluated, or discussed in the existing literature that promote environmental flexibility in the context of emergency departments (EDs).

Background: EDs are subject to constant changes caused by several factors, including seasonal disease trends, the emergence of new technologies, and surges resulting from local or global disasters, such as mass casualty incidents or pandemics. Thus, integrating flexibility into ED design becomes crucial to effectively addressing these evolving needs.