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Hospitals are among the most complex building structures of all. With several building wings, different floors, winding corridors and a variety of departments, orientation is not always easy, even for employees. For patients and visitors, who are often already under stress, the search for the right room becomes an additional burden.
Studies show that up to 30 percent of all hospital patients have difficulty arriving on time for their appointments — not because of lack of will, but simply because they get lost. The consequences are far-reaching: missed investigations lead to delays in appointments, inefficient use of resources and frustrated patients. Staff at information desks are constantly busy providing directions instead of being able to concentrate on more important tasks.
Traditional signage systems reach their limits here. Static signs cannot offer personalized routes, cannot respond to individual needs and cannot be flexibly adapted in the event of modifications or temporary changes.
Digital indoor navigation systems bring proven automotive technology into buildings. Users receive precise turn-by-turn instructions on their smartphones, which guide them step by step to their goal. The technology works completely intuitively — just like road navigation, which everyone is familiar with.
Modern indoor navigation platforms such as Accuras offer several key advantages. The systems work independently of hardware and can be combined with various positioning technologies: from free QR code solutions to outdoor GPS integration to precise beacon or UWB systems. This flexibility allows you to start gradually without large initial investments.
No-code card creation is a particular advantage. Hospitals can create and maintain their digital maps themselves without relying on external service providers. Floor plans are uploaded, walls and paths are drawn in, rooms are named — all via an intuitive user interface. In the case of modifications or changes, adjustments can be made within minutes.
Not every visitor has the same needs. A patient in a wheelchair needs barrier-free routes with elevators instead of stairs. Older visitors benefit from shorter routes with seating options. Hurried employees want the fastest route, even when stairs are involved.
Intelligent indoor navigation takes these different requirements into account. Users can adjust their profile and automatically receive optimised routes. The systems not only show the route, but also estimated walking times, alternative routes and points of interest along the way — such as cafeterias, toilets or waiting areas.
Plurilingualism is another critical factor. In urban hospitals with international patients, navigation systems must be available in different languages. Accuras supports any number of languages so that every user can navigate in their native language.
The patient journey doesn't just start at the hospital entrance, but often already at the parking lot or at the bus stop. Modern navigation systems seamlessly bridge the gap between outdoor and indoor navigation. Patients can plan their route from home and are automatically transferred from GPS-based outdoor routing to indoor navigation.
This continuous route significantly reduces uncertainty. Visitors know exactly where they should park, which entrance they must use and how to get to their destination from there. The result: more timely appointments, less stress and a more positive hospital experience overall.
A common concern when introducing new technologies is integration into existing IT infrastructure. Modern indoor navigation platforms are designed to fit seamlessly. Navigation can be integrated into existing hospital apps, displayed on bedside terminals or made accessible via information kiosks.
Alternatively, white label solutions offer the option to create a completely branded app — with your own logo, color scheme and design. The hospital maintains full control over the appearance while the technology runs in the background.
Access rights can be managed, branding adjusted and usage data analyzed via central admin consoles. IT teams get detailed insights without having to manually manage complexity.
The introduction of indoor navigation in hospitals brings measurable benefits. Missed appointments are reduced by up to 40 percent, which improves utilization of treatment rooms and medical equipment. The workload of information desk personnel is significantly reduced as routine wayfinding questions are automated.
Patients report higher satisfaction and less stress — factors that can be directly measured in patient surveys and quality ratings. For hospitals that must assert themselves in the competition for patients, the patient experience is an increasingly important differentiating factor.
In addition, navigation data provides valuable insights into visitor flows. Where do bottlenecks occur? Which areas are heavily frequented? This information supports long-term planning decisions for renovations or expansions.
Digital indoor navigation is evolving from a nice-to-have to a must-have for modern healthcare facilities. The technology is sophisticated, flexible to implement and delivers measurable improvements in patient experience and operational efficiency. With cost-effective entry options such as QR code-based navigation, there are no more hurdles to implementation.
Hospitals that invest in indoor navigation today are positioning themselves as patient-centered, modern facilities and are laying the foundation for advanced smart building functions such as asset tracking, room booking and intelligent facility management. The question is no longer if, but when, indoor navigation will become the standard.