Traditionally small whiteboards have been placed over patient beds giving necessary information such as the patient's name, clinical instructions such as nil by mouth; to help set this information out more clearly and to improve communication on the wards a new style board has been introduced.
The new boards, A3 size for 6 bed bays, A2 size in single rooms, has been designed to display patient information in a clear and accessible way helping patients and their visitors identify their bed spaces qucikly and easily. One half of the board shows the bed location, patient's name , the consultant's name and the estimated date of discharge, together with space for other information, the other half has a photograph of a local landscape scene. The boards make the wards less stark and enable patients and their visitors navigate their way around the ward with certainty , improving communication as well as giving patients a sense of ownership of their bed space and a new topic of conversation with staff and visitors.
By the end of May 2009 these boards had been fitted by patient beds in all areas accross accross the Trust.
" ...these new boards make a real difference to the patient cublicles in a busy area, making spaces instantly identifiable to everyone"
Cindy McConnachie, Sister Emergency Dept
