The Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania rejected an employer’s challenges to orders reinstating a worker’s benefits, the expansion of his claim and the imposition of penalties. Case: Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board v. Berardi (WCAB),…

The California Division of Workers’ Compensation said it is closing a virtual district office in Eureka on Oct. 18 and shifting cases to Santa Rosa. Beginning Oct. 1, all hearing requests…

The Arkansas Court of Appeals upheld a determination that a worker was not permanently and totally disabled by the loss of her left eye. Case: Murphy v. Arkansas Department of Correction,…

The U.S. 8th Circuit Court of Appeals denied review of a railway worker’s challenge to the dismissal of his claim he had been terminated in retaliation for his successful pursuit…

A federal appellate court ruled that an injured longshoreman who has hearing loss in one ear and bilateral tinnitus is properly compensated at the statutory rate. Case: Total Terminals International LLC…

The National Council on Compensation Insurance submitted a rate filing recommending that the Virginia State Corporation Commission reduce loss costs by 12%, effective April 1. The filing also recommends a 15.8%…

A divided West Virginia Supreme Court upheld the closure of a worker’s claim for temporary total disability benefits and the denial of his request to expand the scope of his…

The National Council on Compensation Insurance filed with the West Virginia Office of the Insurance Commissioner a proposed workers’ compensation loss cost decrease of 9.1%, effective Jan. 1. If approved, the…

A federal appellate court rejected an employer’s challenge to the deadlines for submitting evidence to contest its liability for black lung benefits. Case: Hobet Mining Co. v. Workman, No. 23-1126, 08/02/2024,…

The Texas Department of Insurance said it closed seven Division of Workers’ Compensation field offices along the Gulf Coast in response to Hurricane Beryl. The department said it closed both field…

A Texas appellate court ruled that an employer’s alleged administrative violations did not prevent it from presenting and prevailing on its exclusivity defense. Robert Lane worked for Odle Inc. After he allegedly suffered…

The Washington Court of Appeals upheld a decision closing a worker’s claim and denying her further treatment. Case: Creighton v. United Airlines Inc., No. 58293-7-II, 08/27/2024, unpublished. Facts: Tamra Creighton worked for…

"Work Comp Matters" - the central location for all your workers' compensation, employment and labor law matters. Steve Appell hosts this weekly podcast from sunny southern California - presenting some…

This program provides the essential updates for the year 2018 on the topic of liens. The instructors will focus their teachings on the tools and skills for the entire spectrum…

The Colorado Division of Insurance announced a 4.3% average loss cost decrease for workers' compensation policies incepting in 2025. Loss costs are the average cost of lost wages and medical payments…

A New York appellate court upheld a determination that an injured worker was not entitled to an increase in his loss of wage-earning capacity after his claim was expanded to…

West Virginia’s Intermediate Court of Appeals upheld the closure of a worker’s claim, the denial of his requests for additional treatment and the denial of his request to expand the…

A New York appellate court overturned a decision deducting the schedule loss of use for a worker’s prior shoulder injury from the schedule loss of use for a later arm…

A Texas appellate court upheld the denial of a self-represented worker’s claim due to his failure to ensure there was a record of the administrative proceedings that resulted in the…

In a case of first impression, Maine’s highest court ruled that a worker was entitled to an award of specific-loss benefits for the loss of vision in his eye on…

The Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld the summary dismissal of a worker’s claims asserting that he was the victim of a fraudulent scheme to designate him as an employee instead of…

The Tennessee Court of Appeals ruled that the time frame for an injured worker to sue her doctor for malpractice did not start on the date her workers’ compensation attorney…

An Ohio appellate court ruled that if a worker’s injury results in the severance of some part of the proximal phalanx, the injury must be treated as a loss of…

An Ohio appellate court rejected an employer’s challenge to a loss-of-use award to a worker who underwent a partial surgical amputation of his foot. Case: State ex rel. Randstad North America…

The Kentucky Department of Insurance approved an 8.4% average loss cost reduction for policies incepting in 2025. The department said this is the 19th consecutive rate decrease. Kentucky Insurance Commissioner Sharon…

The South Carolina Supreme Court upheld a finding that a worker was entitled to benefits for a back injury, but it questioned the continued viability of its case law allowing…

Aspectos destacados de la guía: La nueva guía conjunta de la American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y el American College of Cardiology ofrece recomendaciones para guiar a los médicos en el tratamiento de pacientes con...

Aspectos destacados de la declaración: El manejo de los medicamentos paliativos se enfoca en el alivio de los síntomas y en la mejora de la calidad de vida de las personas con enfermedades cardiovasculares en las distintas etapas de la enfermedad. La...

Research Highlights: In an analysis of 18 randomized clinical trials, people with obesity and high blood pressure who underwent bariatric (weight-loss) surgery were almost three times more likely to achieve blood pressure remission, defined as...

DALLAS, 1 de octubre de 2024 - Los derrames cerebrales pueden producirse a cualquier edad, lo que obliga a los supervivientes a superar cambios físicos, emocionales y cognitivos. Ya está abierto el plazo de presentación de candidaturas para los ...

WASHINGTON, D.C., 1 de abril 2024: En diciembre de 2023, la Casa Blanca anunció un retraso en la publicación de las normas definitivas para eliminar el mentol como sabor característico de los cigarrillos y todos los sabores característicos (excepto el ...

DALLAS, January

DALLAS, 16 de octubre de 2024 — Más de la mitad de las personas que sufren un paro cardíaco repentino fuera del hospital no reciben reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) inmediata. Como resultado, mueren 9 de cada 10 personas que sufren uno[1]. Sin embargo,...

HOUSTON, 16 de octubre de 2024 — Veintisiete entrenadores de fútbol americano universitario integran la lista de candidatos al premio Paul “Bear” Bryant al Entrenador del Año 2024 de la American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón), un...

CHICAGO, 22 de octubre de 2024 — La American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y los Chicago Bears llevaron capacitación en reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) y desfibrilador externo automático (DEA) a las finales estatales del...

NEW YORK, 7 de noviembre de 2024 — La American Heart Association (la Asociación Americana del Corazón) y los New York Jets reunieron a representantes de 12 escuelas locales para realizar un entrenamiento de reanimación cardiopulmonar (RCP) y...

Puntos destacados de la investigación: Una pequeña encuesta de adultos de entre 30 y 89 años (de una edad promedio de 65 años) en Suecia que tienen afecciones cardíacas determinó que existe una diferencia significativa entre la información sobre salud ...

Puntos destacados de la investigación: En un análisis de más de 7000 supervivientes de un derrame cerebral, aquellos que tomaban un agonista del receptor del GLP1 o un medicamento inhibidor del SGLT2 tuvieron un menor riesgo posterior de sufrir un...

Design Sojourn is a proven Design Led Innovation Consultancy passionate in radically transforming lives. We are growing our team in 2021!

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    The hiring for this position is now officially closed! Design Sojourn is a Design Led Innovation Consultancy that loves to inspire, impact and create better lives. We are currently looking for smart, dynamic, self-motivated Junior Experience Designers with strong verbal/written communication skills and...

The post We are looking for Junior Experience Designers! (Closed) appeared first on Design Sojourn. Please click above if you cannot see this post.

Why people get lost

Navigating through hospitals can be a challenging task and stressful experience for patients, visitors, and even staff. With the increasing complexity of hospital layouts and diverse user needs, there is a growing demand for effective and accessible wayfinding solutions.

Misinformation and not up-to-date information are among the most common issues why people get lost. The lack of quality information across platforms allows for disorientation, a feeling of getting lost, and not knowing which source to trust. Some of the issues include:

• Getting lost, high stress levels
• Not on time for an appointment
• Unable to orientate/navigate
• Information not correct/up-to-date
• No holistic wayfinding approach

Costs of Getting Lost

Wayfinding issues lead to significant costs due to staff time spent on assisting lost individuals, delays in patient care, and missed appointments.

A Deloitte report showed that medical staff spends on average 4,500 hours in giving directions every year. That is a considerable amount of time wasted just on giving directions.

Lost patients and visitors disrupt hospital schedules and workflows, leading to inefficiencies and increased workload.

Navigational difficulties heighten stress and dissatisfaction among patients. Efficient wayfinding is crucial for patient safety, especially in emergency situations.

Three Main Reasons Why People Get Lost in Hospitals

1. Complex Hospital Layouts: Hospitals often have intricate, sometimes maze-like structures with long corridors which look similar and multiple wings, making navigation challenging for patients, visitors, and even staff.

2. Inadequate Signage and Wayfinding Systems: Traditional signage and wayfinding tools are frequently insufficient, leading to confusion and difficulty in locating destinations within the hospital.

3. Lack of Pre-Visit Information and Real-Time Guidance: The absence of effective pre-visit directions and real-time navigational assistance exacerbates the confusion, especially for first-time visitors.

Assessment of the Costs of Getting Lost in Hospitals

• Financial Impact: Wayfinding issues can cost hospitals significantly, with studies showing expenses up to $500,000 annually at due to staff assisting lost individuals and other related inefficiencies. Missed appointments due to navigational difficulties add to this burden, with the NHS losing almost £1 billion annually.

• Operational and Staff Impact: Staff spend substantial time assisting lost patients, leading to lost productivity and increased workload. This can result in staff burnout and compromised patient care.

• Patient Experience and Safety: Patients experiencing stress and confusion due to poor navigation can have longer hospital stays and increased health risks.

In summary, inefficient hospital wayfinding systems lead to significant financial costs, operational challenges, and negative impacts on patient experience and safety.

Case for wayfinding

Wayfinding is a multidisciplinary design profession, combining cognitive behavior, information design, and user experience. It enhances the process of finding your way to a destination in a familiar or unfamiliar setting by using cues from the environment.

The goal of wayfinding is to create a unique and seamless journey by showing the right information at the right time. A comprehensive and bespoke wayfinding system where patients and visitors can orientate, navigate, and locate destinations in a building or environment.

Holistic wayfinding approach

A holistic wayfinding approach that reduces stress and costs while creating a seamless journey experience in hospitals should include:

• Integrated Digital and Physical Signage: Combining clear, large physical signs with digital solutions (like interactive maps and mobile apps) ensures accessibility and real-time guidance for all users​​​​.
• Personalized Navigation Assistance: Utilizing technology such as QR codes, WiFi triangulation, or beacons for real-time, personalized navigation can cater to individual needs and reduce the likelihood of getting lost​​​​.
• Pre-visit and On-site Information: Providing detailed pre-visit directions and on-site information desks or volunteers can help orient visitors upon arrival and throughout their visit, addressing wayfinding issues effectively​​.

This approach combines technology, human assistance, and clear physical markers to create an environment where patients and visitors can navigate hospital spaces more confidently and efficiently.

Design for today and plan for the Future

Our vision for Wayfinding is an integrated information platform that creates an on-demand and personalized user experience. Our approach seeks to improve people’s understanding of the built environment by implementing identity, urban design, and wayfinding strategies.

Key takeaways

• People first — User-centered information tools
• Integrated — Holistic design approach
• Vision and research — Solving wayfinding problems
• From the place for the place — A unique experience
• Seamless — Extendable and flexible
• Digital — Personalized experiences
• Build design resources — Ensure legacy
• Invest once and wisely — High quality delivers a ROI

Every day, our work helps thousands of people navigate hospitals. We are experts in placemaking and wayfinding.

Eresus Walckenaeri. Shortlisted in the Invertebrate Portrait category. By Aris Kolokontes The 2024 Close-Up Photographer of the Year competition has shortlisted 20 stunning images from 11,681 entries, spanning 11 categories like Animals, Insects, and Underwater scenes, with a special category for photographers under 18. The overall winner will receive $3,240 and a trophy, while category […]

Early 20th-century cigarette ads glamorized smoking as a symbol of sophistication, elegance, and modernity, using stylish imagery and catchy slogans like “More doctors smoke Camels” and “It’s Toasted” to imply quality and safety. These advertisements, often featuring celebrities, marketed smoking as part of a glamorous lifestyle, making it appear desirable and socially acceptable despite the […]

Introducing the denture drill holder, the ultimate fusion of dental aesthetics and DIY functionality that holds your bits and screws in place with magnetic gums—because who doesn’t want a tool set that smiles back? This isn’t just any tool holder; it’s a stainless steel set of chompers equipped with 28 hex bits, doubling as a […]

In North America, it’s easy to see that we’re heading towards a world that is driven by digital commerce. Many people order a good chunk of their daily supplies and impulse purchases online. Apps make buying things even out in the real world much easier than cash. Then, there’s the credit and debit card trend […]

The post Is a cashless society closer than most realize? first appeared on TECH Intelligence and is written by Michio Hasai.

Western University researchers are taking a unique global approach to finding an effective treatment for people living with long COVID. Led by Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry professor Dr. Douglas Fraser, the projects represent the first multi-continental research conducted on long COVID, with study sites in Africa and North and South Americas. The long-term effects of long COVID – including symptoms such as brain fog, fatigue and difficulty breathing – can be debilitating and greatly impact quality of life. At least 65 million people around the world are affected by the condition. 

880 billion images will be made this year, in the USA alone. How important is it to makes sure image loss is minimised not to have a Lost Generation?