Wayfinding in Sick Kids Hospital Emergency

Client

Sick Kids Hospital

Sector

Design Research, Healthcare, Interior, Wayfinding

Responsibilities

Design Researcher

Project Duration

3 months

SickKids Hospital identified a need for improved navigation in its emergency department, which was leading to confusion and longer wait times for patients and families. As part of a cross-functional team, I was tasked with addressing accessibility challenges and improving the wayfinding experience for users in a busy hospital setting.

Situation

Task

My goal was to conduct research and design a set of practical, cost-effective solutions to guide patients through the hospital’s complex layout, ensuring accessibility for individuals with diverse needs, including those with mobility challenges or limited English proficiency.

Action

I led qualitative research using methods like interviews and journey mapping to understand the pain points of visitors and staff. I then synthesized these insights into design recommendations and low-fidelity prototypes. In collaboration with hospital staff and hospital management, I refined these solutions and tested them with real users to validate effectiveness and ease of use.

Result

The solutions led to a noticeable improvement in user satisfaction and reduced frustration in navigating the emergency department. These changes were successfully implemented in the hospital, contributing to smoother patient flow and a more welcoming environment for families.