Dayton VAMC Wayfinding

Paradigm is currently providing complete design services for the renovation of a particularly busy VA primary care clinic in Dayton. A major reason for this 20,000 square foot renovation is that the current layout is inefficient. Improving wayfinding for patients and creating a more effective layout for staff is therefore a top priority.

Because patients are generally under stress and visit healthcare providers infrequently, effective wayfinding is an essential part of a clinic’s design. Wayfinding, how visitors to a space orient themselves through architectural and design cues, needs to be clear and demonstrate a perceptive understanding of patients’ behavioral patterns.

Cues can include colors, patterns, directional signage, and landmarks. Memorable artwork, for example, can be placed at key decision points, such as corridor intersections.

Wayfinding example – James H. Quillen VAMC, Mountain Home, Tennessee

For the Dayton clinic project, Paradigm is also creating an efficient layout by centralizing patient check-in and check-out for eleven different medical exam rooms. These include pulmonary, cardiology, rheumatology, dermatology, and neurology. Optimizing patient flow will also minimize staff circulation.

Effective wayfinding systems can ease patient anxiety and improve workflow, positively impacting all users of a clinic space. That’s the best effect to have on patients seeking care, especially veterans who have served our country.