Interactive Campus Mapping
Lexington Medical Center, West Columbia, SC aerial campus rendering and interactive map.
One of the most effective tools to help a visitor navigate an unfamiliar hospital campus is an interactive map. By interactive, what we mean is simply a map that responds to prompts from the user. An interactive map is one that, in basic form, can answer the question, “How do I get from here to there?”
Lexington Medical Center in West Columbia, SC asked Med Maps to create a visually attractive and user friendly interactive map for their campus. Their vision was a mapping tool that would lead visitors from a parking area to an entrance then, turn-by-turn, to their desired destination.
The rise of mobile phone technology has brought hospital wayfinding in general, and interactive mapping in particular, to the forefront of effective navigating tools. Lexington Medical Center recognized the inherent ease of use of a campus interactive map and the many ways such a map can help put important information into the hands of visitors through their mobile device, be it a phone or a tablet.
Interactive campus maps serve as a personal guide, one that will lead a visitor from point “A” to point “B” and beyond through a simple menu of prompts. Choose a destination, and the map will provide the answer in visual form as well as through text message directions and even printed directions.
The true power of an interactive map, however, is the built-in function that allows the hospital to insert many types of information about a specific location into the map itself. The information could be textual in nature (hours of operation, floor and room numbers, phone, etc.), photographs and even video and audio. An interactive map can not only guide the visitor to their destination, but also provide information to enhance the visiting experience.
Indianapolis VA Medical Center poster advertising the new interactive mapping tool available on the hospital website.
However, even the most well designed campus interactive map is of little use if visitors are unaware of its presence. The very first and most important step in making use of such a map is assuring that those who need it know about it. Advertise it! Place it on the hospital website where it can be easily accessed. Use posters and banners, such as the one pictured above, to draw attention to it. Write about it in hospital newsletters and assure that employees themselves know about it.
Lexington Medical Center serves the health needs of their community twenty four hours a day, every day. Their facility has been named Columbia's "Best Place to Have a Baby," "Best Hospital" and one of the "Top 25 Best Hospitals to Work for in the U.S.," honors all made possible by a dedicated, talented team of health care professionals and staff. Med Maps is truly honored to be a small part of that success through the design and application of their interactive map.
Med Maps Hospital Wayfinding
Med Maps is dedicated to helping people find their way through print and digital maps, aerial renderings and interactive mapping tools. Med Maps simplifies the process of finding your destination.