healthcare digital signage 2010 what you need to know

800.800.1090 vericom.net21yearsexclusivelyservinghealthcare

Thefollowingwillguideyouinwhattolookforandaskvendorswhenplanning,budgeting,andimplementingdigitalsignageatyourhospitalorhealthcarefacility.Withtheoverabundanceofinformationaboutdigitalsignageavailableonthewebtoday,thisguideisspecificallytailoredtoaddressdigitalsignageasitpertainsuniquelytothehealthcareindustry.

What You Need to Know

Consider before you buy…

Planning, Budgeting, and Implementing

Healthcare digital signage 2010

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INTRODUCTIONandGETTINGSTARTED…………………………....3

ON-SITESURVEY…………….………………………………………...4

HARDWAREandSOFTWARE

High-definitionmonitors…………………………………….5

Mediaplayers………………………………………………....7

Software………………………………………............................7

INSTALLATIONandPROJECTMANAGEMENT

Installationhardware……………………………………...…8

Installation……………………………………………………9

Projectmanagement………………………………………..10

CONTENTSTRATEGYandPLANNING.....................................................….10

TRAINING……………………………………………………………15

SERVICEandSUPPORT……………………………………………....15

EQUIPMENTWARRANTIES…………………………………………..16

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Table of Contents

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INTRODUCTION

Healthcare digital signagehasrapidlybecomeanintegralpartofthepatientandconsumer,employee,andphysicianexperienceinhospitalsandotherhealthcarefacilitiesacrossthecountry.Itisavitalcomponentofinternalcommunications,directlyimpactingpatientsafety,staffperformance,thetotalpatientexperience,andmore.

Ifusedoptimally,digitalsignagecommunicationscanimpactbehavior.Thisrequiresasustainablecontentplanthatincludescurrentandrelevantmessages.Digitalsignagecontentshouldtargeteachhealthcareaudienceuniquelyanddelivermessagesthatmakesenseforwherepeoplearewaiting,working,eating,andcongregating.Messagescantargetnursingstations,pharmacies,outpatientwaitingareas,andoff-campustownhallmeetingsites,tonameafew.Contentshouldbeinformative,plentiful,fresh,dynamic,andengaging.Onlywhenyoucombinetheseelementsandpresenttheminvisuallycaptivatingdisplayscanyouensureasuccessfuldigitalsignageplatform.

Inaddition,digitalsignagehasthepowertoelevateyourbrandandsignificantlydifferentiateyoufromyourcompetitors,alteringtheperceptionofthequalityofcareyouprovide.Yourbrandcomesfromtheinside—fromyourculture,leadership,vision,progress,services,andemployees.Therightdigitalsignagevendorwillunderstandthenuancesandimportanceofbrandinginhealthcareinordertoprovideyouwithasystemthatsupportsandintegratesyourbrandseamlesslyintoyourinternalcommunicationsefforts.

GETTING STARTED…

Whenplanningandbudgetingfordigitalsignageatyourhealthcarefacility,youwillneedtoconsideronetimestart-upcostsandmonthly/annualfees.One-timecostscanoftenbefinanced,ifdesired.Notallvendorsincludealltheseelementsandthirdpartysourcesmayneedtobeutilized.

Costs to consider:

•On-sitesurvey(somevendorscreditwithpurchase)

•High-definitionmonitors(one-timefee)

•Mediaplayers(one-timefee)

•Mountingbrackets,cables,andotherinstallationhardware(one-timefees)

•Powerdrops,internetaccess,andinternalwiring(typicallyyourresponsibility)

•Installationandprojectmanagement

•Mediaplayersoftware(initialpurchase/licenseandongoingfees)

•Contentmanagementsoftware(initialpurchase/licenseandongoingfees)

•Otherhardware(isaserverrequiredtohostthesoftware?)

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•Technicalsupportandmaintenance(annualfees,notallvendorsincludethisaspartoftheirservice)

•Specialdesignservices(toincorporateyouruniquebrandingelements)•Contentcreation,management,andprogramming(whowill“own”it?)

•Training

•Ongoingsupportandwarranties

Eachoftheseareaswillbeindividuallyaddressedthroughoutthisdocument.

ON-SITE SURVEY

Itisinyourbestinteresttoworkwithavendorwhoiswillingtowalkyourhallwayswithyou,versusonewhowillonlydoasurveyoverthephone.Thisiswhereworkingwithacompanywhounderstandshealthcareandthechallengespresentedbythephysicallayoutsofhealthcarefacilitieswillbetoyouradvantage.

Theon-sitesurveywilltakeintoaccountyourcommunicationsobjectivesbasedonyouruniqueaudiences.Whoaretheseaudiences?Wherearetheywaiting,congregating,working,etc.?Whataretheyaredoinginthepresenceofeachmonitor?Aneffectivesurveywillrequireassistancefrommarketing,IT,andfacilitiesandwillassessthefollowing:

•Identificationofappropriatemonitorlocationsdependingonviewingaudiences

•Appropriatemonitorsizeforeachlocation

•Propermountsandallotherhardwarerequired

•Locationofmediaplayersanddistancetocorrespondingmonitors

•Targetaudiences,audiencesize,andtrafficpatternsateachlocation

•Desiredcontenttoplayonthemonitors(audio,video,staticmessages,animations,scrollfeeds,etc.)

•Communicationsgoalsandobjectivesforeachaudienceateachlocation

Theon-sitesurveygivesyourvendoralltheinformationnecessarytoprovideadetailedpricequotationaswellasinstallation,setup,andprogrammingrecommendations.Forplanningpurposes,figure1-3hoursofsurveytimeperbuilding.

Avendorwhoperformsthistypeofsurveywillunderstandandknowthelayoutofyourfacilityandwillbeabletomakerecommendationsandguideyouwithanynecessarychangesshouldyoudecidetoaddnewmonitorsorplayers,changethelocationofmonitors,orremovemonitors.

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Price range:Anon-sitesurveyisusuallychargedatanhourlyrate,soplanforapproximately$150-$175/hourplusanytravel-relatedexpenses.

Questions to ask about the on-site survey:

1.Doyouprovideanon-sitesurveyaspartofyourservice?

2.Whatdoestheon-sitesurveyentail,andwhatwillyoubelookingforduringthesurvey?

3.Haveyoueversurveyedhealthcarefacilitiesbefore?Doyoulookforelevatorandsurgerywalls,waterandoxygenlines,andotherimportantfactorsthatwillaffectthedrillingofwallsandinstallation?

4.Doyourequireafacilitiesrepresentativetobepresentduringthesurvey?

5.WhatwillIendupwithasaresultoftheon-sitesurvey?(Youshouldreceiveadetailedwrittenreportforallpossiblelocationsandthecomponentsneededforeachlocation’sinstallation.Photosofeachlocationshouldbeincludedtoassistyouinmakingfinallocationdecisionsandassistwiththeinstallationprocess.Thisinformationwillbenecessaryinorderforyourvendortoprovideadetailedandaccuratepricequoteforyourentireproject.)

HARDWARE and SOFTWARE

High-definition (HD) monitors

Monitorsdisplayyourdigitalsignagemessages.Therearemanydecisionstomakeandyouwillneedtoconsidertypeandsizeaccordingtoeachphysicallocation.Whataretheadvantages/disadvantagesofplasmaversusLCD,720por1080p?Itisimportanttoassesstheviewinghabitsofeachaudiencewhenconsideringlocation.Willthetextbelargeenoughona32”monitorifmostpeopleviewitfrom15feetawayorwoulda42”monitorbemoreappropriate?Thisinformationcanbeobtainedviaanon-sitesurveybyanexperiencedvendor,somakesureyourvendoriswillingtowalkyourfacilitywithyoutofiteachlocationwithanappropriatemonitor.Anon-sitesurveywillalsoexamineyourfacility’sexistinginfrastructuretodetermineifitisevenfeasibleformonitorstobeinstalledinyourdesiredlocations.Ifyoualreadyhavemonitors,theon-sitesurveycanevaluateiftheywouldbesuitableforuse.

Which monitors are the best?

Monitorscanbe“tubeTVs,”plasma,orLCDscreens.Inalmostallcases,youwillwanttopurchasehigh-definitionLCDmonitors.Here’swhy:

•LCDtechnologyrequireslesspowertorun(lesspowerconsumption)andhasalifespanapproximately2timesthatofplasma.

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•High-definitionmonitorsareclearerandeasiertoreadandview.Thishelpstomoreeffectivelyengageyouraudiences.

•TubeTVsarenotabletoproducehigh-definitionqualitypictureandLCDsrivalthepricesoftubes.

•Plasmatechnologyhasamajorissuewithburn-in,permanentlydisfiguringthescreen.

•Phosphorsinplasmascreensloseluminosityovertime,resultinginagradualdeclineofabsoluteimagebrightness.

•LCDmonitorsweighlessthanplasmaandtubemonitors.

•LCDmonitorpricesarecompetitivelypriced.

•LCDmonitorsareavailableinlargersizes,including65”orabove.

Note: Be aware that continual technological advances and price decreases may soon make other technologies, such as LED monitors, viable alternatives.

Commercial versus consumer models: Whendecidingonwhichtypeofmonitorstouse,makecertainyouONLYusecommercialgrademonitors.Thesemonitorsaresimilarinpricetoconsumermodels,buttheyaredesignedfor24/7useandtypicallycomewithmulti-yearon-sitewarranties.

Speakers:Somemonitormodelscomewithpre-attachedspeakerswhileothersareequippedwithdetachedspeakersthatwillrequireinstallationandmustbepurchasedseparately.Ifyouareconsideringaudioforyourdigitalsignageplatform,takeintoaccountthetypeofcontentbeingplayed,thelocation,ambientnoise,andcompetingaudiosourceslikeoverheadmusic,announcements,andbroadcastTV.Also,consideremployeeswhomaybeworkinginagivenarea.Iftheaudioisa20-minuteloop,theywillhearthesamething24timesinan8-hourshift.

Price range:Pricevariesconsiderablyformonitorsanddependsonsize,brand,andresolution.AsofJanuary2010,monitorpricescanrangefrom$700toover$7,000fora32”to65”high-definitionLCDcommercialgrademonitor.

Questions to ask about monitors:

1.Doyouusecommercialorconsumermodels?

2.Areyourmonitorshigh-definitionandwidescreen?

3.Whatbrandsdoyouuse?(Somebrandsarebettersuitedfordigitalsignagethanothers.)

4.Isthereawarrantyincluded,orofferedseparately,andwhatkindisit?

5.Arespeakersincludedordotheyneedtobeadded,ifdesired?

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Media players

Amediaplayerisadevicethatdeliverscontenttoeachmonitor.Thiscontentcanconsistofgraphics,images,animations,liveorrecordedvideo,and/ortext.Thenumberofplayersrequiredisdeterminedbythemonitorlocationsandthetypeofcontentdeliveredtoeachmonitor,aswellasthevendor’stechnology.Differentcontentprogramswillneeddifferentplayers.

Forexample,amonitorinthephysician’sloungeplayingcontentdirectedexclusivelytowardphysicianswouldnotbeabletoshareaplayerwiththemonitorlocatedinanearbypatientwaitingarea.Itispossibleforoneplayertosupportmultiplemonitorlocations,forexample,ifthoselocationsarephysicallyproximaltoeachotherandplayidenticalcontent.Withclosedcircuittelevision(CCTV),onlyoneplayerwouldberequiredtostreamidenticalcontenttoallmonitorsinpatientrooms.Theactualconfigurationcanonlybedeterminedbyanon-sitesurvey.Thetechnologyusedbysomevendorsrequiresoneplayerpermonitor,forexample,inthecaseofvendorswhoseplayerisintegratedwiththemonitor.Thistypeoftechnologytypicallyinvolvesincreasedup-frontequipmentcostsbecauseoftheone-to-oneconnection.

Software

Mediaplayersoftwaremaybepricedseparatelyfromtheplayerhardware.Thereissoftwarethatispartofthemediaplayer,andthereiscontentmanagementsoftwarethatcontrolstheplayers.Contentmanagementsoftwareistypicallyeitherweb-basedorloadedandmaintainedonyourserver.Importantthingstoconsiderwithsoftwarearethesystemrequirements,whowillmaintainit,andhowyouwillreceivesoftwareupdates.Makesureanypricequotesyoureceiveincludetechnicalsupportforyoursystem.

Price range: Whenresearchingmediaplayerpricing,pleasemakesureyouknowthedifferencebetweentheplayerandtheplayer“system.”Besuretoaskwhethertheplayersystemincludesthesoftwarelicensenecessarytoruntheprogramanddeliverthecontenttomonitors.Playerhardwarecanrangefrom$1,200to$3,200andaplayer“system”includinglicensingandplayersupportcanraisethisone-timefee.Manycompanieschargeanannualormonthlyusageorsubscriptionfeeforsoftware,whichwillbeseparatefromone-timehardwareandsoftwarecosts.

Questions to ask about media players, systems, and software:

1.Isthepricequotedjustfortheplayerhardwarealone,orisitfortheplayersystem,includingallsoftwarelicensingandtechnicalsupport?

2.Doestheplayersystemincludeaccesstoanyexistinghealthcarecontentorcontentlibrary?Whataretheannualfeesforcontentandwhatdothesefeesinclude?

3.Doyouhavetheproperlicensingtolegallydisplayalloftheformatssupportedbyyourplayer?

4.Howmanymonitorscanrunoffasingleplayer?Arethereanylimitationswithregardtodistancebetweenamonitorandplayer?

5.Doestheplayersystemdeliverhigh-definitioncontentandatwhatresolution?

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6.Istheplayercapableofplayingavarietyofcontenttypes,includingrecordedandlivestreamingvideo,graphicmessages,andanimations?

7.CanIuploadmyowncontentthatIcreate?

8.Isthesoftwareweb-basedordoesitrequireustomaintainitonadditionalequipment?

INSTALLATION and PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Installation hardware

Monitormountsholdadigitalsignagemonitorsecurelyonawall.Thereisawiderangeinthepriceofmounts,asthemountsizeandtypearedependentonthemonitorsizeandlocation.Inthemajorityofcases,itwillbemost“space-effective”tomountamonitortothewallorceiling,versustakingupvaluablespacewithafreestandingdigitaldisplay.Amountforawallcanbeflatorhavetilt/swingingoptions.Incertainlocations,itisnecessarytouseaceilingpolemountoraswing-armmount.Asitesurveywouldbeabletohelpdeterminethis.

Pleasebeawareofotheritemsyoumayrequirethatshouldalsobeincludedinyourpricequote.Thesecanincludeplayermountsandmonitormounts,cables/wiring,videodistributionequipment(transmitters,receivers,andsplitters),andphysicalsecuritylocks.Thedistancesfromamonitortotheplayercanaffectthecostofthisequipment.Onlyanon-sitesurveycandeterminehowmanyofeachisrequiredsoyoucanobtainanaccuratepricequote.

Price range:Dependingonthemonitorsize,wallmountsalonecanrangefromlessthan$200to$1,000ormore.Besuretobudgetanaveragecostof$600to$800forinstallationequipmentforeachmonitor.Thiscostshouldbeenoughtocover:mount,cabling,videodistributionhardware(splitters,transmitters,andreceivers)andmiscellaneoushardwaresuchaslocks.

Questions to ask about installation hardware:

1.Whatotherhardwareisrequiredtorunthissystem?

2.Whathardwareismyfacilityresponsibleforprovidingversusthevendor’sresponsibility?

3.HowdoIdeterminewhattypeofwallmountsIneed?

4.Areyouabletoinstallmonitorsonbrickorcementwalls?

5.Doesthecostofinstallationincreasethefurtherawayamediaplayerisfromamonitor?

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Installation

Properdigitalsignageinstallationrequiresathoroughon-sitesurvey.(Haveweemphasizedtheimportanceofathoroughon-sitesurveyenough?!)Onlyanon-sitesurveycanaccuratelyestimateinstallationtime.Aroughapproximationwouldbebetween2-3hourspermonitor,and3-4hoursperplayerincludingcabling,playerinstallation,testing,projectmanagement,andmaterialstracking.Ifthereareanyspecialrequestssuchasputtingmonitorsinelevators,theon-sitesurveywilldeterminehowmuchmoretimethesespecialoruniqueinstallationscouldtake,alongwithanyspecialequipmentrequirements.

Ifyourvendordoesnotperformtheinstallations,andusesathirdparty,youwillwanttofindouthowcloselyyourvendormonitorstheirinstallationsandtowhomyouwillneedtogoifthereareanyproblems.Notealsothatyourvendorwillmostlikelyrequireassistancefromyourfacilityservicesdepartmentinsurveying,planning,andperformingtheactualinstallation.Yourvendorwillnotwanttoputanyholesinyourwallswithoutobtainingyourpermissionfirst.Typically,yourfacilitiesorITdepartmentwillberesponsibleforprovidingelectricaloutlets,internetaccess,andanyrequiredinternalwiring(e.g.Cat5).

Price range:Planforinstallationfeesrangingfrom$130to$250perpersonperhour.

Questions to ask about installation:

1.Doesyourcompanyperformtheinstallationsordoyouuse3rdpartyinstallers?Ifso,willIneedtohaveanycontactwiththis3rdpartyorwillyouhandleallofmyquestionsandproblemsdirectly?

2.WillyoumanagetheprojectordoIneedto?

3.Howmuchtimeisrequiredofmyfacilityservicesdepartmentinassistingwithinstallations?

4.Whatworkareweresponsibleforandexpectedtohavecompletedbeforeyouarrivetoinstallequipment?

5.Doyourinstallerslookforwaterandoxygenlinesbeforedrilling?Dotheyunderstandtheuniquenessofhealthcarefacilitieswherearoommayshareawallwithanotherroomwithspecialrequirementssuchasanoperatingroom?

6.Doyourinstallersknowaboutinfectioncontrolanddustcontrolstandards?(Note:Youshouldnothavetoteachyourvendor/installersabouttheimportanceofunderstandingthesetypesofhealthcarecompliance!)

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Project management

Healthcaredigitalsignageisaverylargeundertaking,anditisimportantyouworkwithavendorwhoisvestedinyoursuccessandwhoalsounderstandstheopportunitiesalongthewaywherethisprojectcanfail.Therightplanning,organization,andpartnershipbetweenyourfacilityandvendorwillofferyouthebestchanceofmeetingandexceedingyourgoals.Makesureyourvendorhastherightservicemodelandprojectmanagementcapabilitiestomeetyourcommunicationsobjectivesandgrowandsustainaneffectivedigitalsignageplatformwithyouforlife.

CONTENT STRATEGY and PLANNING

Beforeyoumoveforwardwithpurchasingsystemhardwareandsoftware,youneedtothinkaboutcontent.Whoisgoingtobeviewingyourcontent,where,andwhen?Whoisgoingtocreateyourcontentorwhereareyougoingtogetit?Whoisgoingtoplanforandmaintainthequantity,variety,quality,andintegrityofallofyourcontentforyouruniqueaudiences?Whoisgoingtoscheduleyourcontent?Bewareofvendorswhopriceasystemwithoutincludingdigitalsignage-specificcontentdevelopmentormanagementcosts.Thesevendorsassumeyouwillcreate,fulfill,anddeliveryourowncontentwithoutanyassistance.

Donotplanonsavingmoneybydeliveringexistingcontentonly—suchasvideos,PowerPointpresentations,andothercontentyoumayhaveonhandthatwasdevelopedformediaotherthandigitalsignage.Justhavingasupplyofcontentdoesnotensureitisofthequalityandformatneededforlargehigh-definition,digitalwide-screenviewing.ExcessiveuseofPowerPoint“looking,”non-HDcontentisnotgoingtopromoteyourbrandinapositivelightorcommunicateeffectivelywithyouraudiences.Digitalsignageisaveryvisiblemediumandruns24/7.Ifthecontentisnotupdatedregularly,itwillbeignoredorbecomeannoying,andyouwillgetcomplaints.Youwantcontentthatisvisuallyengagingenoughtoattractattention.Somevendorswilloffercontentlibrariesanddesignservices,otherswillnot.

Pay careful attention!:

1.Thereisalotofreadilyavailablecontentthatdoesnottransferortranslatewellintoproperviewingonlarge,high-definitionmonitors.Contentdesignedforyourwebsiteorletter-sizePDFdocumentswillmostlikelyhavetoomuchcopyandwillnotbeappropriatelysizedfordigitalsignage.

2.Videosvaryinlengthandqualityanddonotalwaysdelivermessagesthatareappropriatetoyouraudienceswheretheyarewaiting.Also,audiomaynotbedesirableformanymonitorlocations.

3.ManyPowerPointandWordpresentationscontaintoomuchtextfordigitalsignageviewing.Also,thesefileformatsdonotlookgoodbecausetheresolutionisnothighenoughfortheselargemonitors.Itisbesttousethesetypesofsoftwareprogramsforquickcommunicationupdates,notbrandingefforts.

4.Becarefulofvendorswhosaythey“candowhateveryouwant,”or“weserveanyindustry.”Healthcareiscomplicatedandunlikeotherindustries.TheERstaffandtelemetrynursescouldbesegmentedintotwodifferentcontentaudiences,aswellasthepatientsinyourimagingcenterandcardiacwaitingroom.Youneedavendorwithsolidhealthcareexperiencewhounderstandsthatthesearealluniqueaudiences,eachwiththeirowncommunicationschallengesthatneedtobeaddressedinorderforyourcontenttohaveimpactandmakeadifference.

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5.Digitalsignagecontentneedstobeplanned,managed,delivered,revised,andupdatedroutinelyformultipleaudiences,allwithvaryingcommunicationsneeds.Itisimperativetolookforavendorwhooffersyoucontentoptionsthatinclude: 1)Arelevantandexpansivecontentlibrarythatiseasytoaccessandincludesreadilyavailable updatedcontentandclinicallyaccuratehealthcaremessages.

2)Messagesthatenableyoutoaddyourowncall-to-actiontaglines.

3)Customcontentyourvendorcancreateforyou,assumingtheyhavethedesignexpertise.

4)Contentyoucreateinternallywithyourdesignteamanduploaddirectlyintoyoursystem.

5)Abilityforyoutoquicklycreatemessagesyourselfonline,usingavarietyofcustompre-designed backgroundsthatincludeyouruniquebranding,availableforyoutouseatanytime.

6)Abilitytouploadpre-recordedvideoandstreamlivevideotoallmonitors(especiallyvaluablein connectingandcommunicatingwithoff-campusaudiences).

6.Lookforavendorwhoprovidesadependableserviceoffresh,animated,anddynamiccontenttomeetyourneeds.

The importance of unique, audience-centered content that is current, visually captivating, relevant to your audiences, and sustainable, cannot be stressed enough. Digital signage is a living, breathing system that needs to be continually fed, and in healthcare that means a “healthy” dose of the right kind of healthcare content.

Itisalsopossiblethatyouwantyourdigitalsignagecontenttocrossoverintoothermediumssuchasyourclosedcircuittelevision(CCTV)systeminpatientrooms.Thismaybeanimportantapplicationforyourinternalcommunications,andyou’llwanttodiscussthiscapabilitywithyourvendor.

To be effective, your digital signage product should be able to do the following:

1.Provideacall-to-action–Effectivecontentdrawsindividualstoyourmonitorsandgivesphonenumbersandwebsiteaddresses,providingviewerswithanopportunitytorespondandtakeaction.Italsoallowsyoutogaugetheeffectivenessofyourcontentbytrackingresults,suchasappointmentsmade,attendanceatscreeningevents,andmore.

2.Appealtoeachperson’ssenses,values,andemotions–Effectivecontentcanconvertcurrentpatientsintoloyalpatientsandvisitorsintofuturepatients,whileensuringemployeesrefertheirfriendsandfamily.

3.Targetyouruniqueaudiences–Effectivecontentisaudience-centeredandrelevanttothem.

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4.Engageaudienceswheretheywait,work,eat,congregate,teach,etc.andunderstandtheirviewingtendencies–Deliveringtherightcontentattherighttimedependsonyouraudience’slocationwithinthehospital.Otherwise,youraudiencewillnotbeintherightframeofmindtoabsorbtheinformation.Contentneedstobecommunicatedrelativetoyouraudience’ssituation,whetherthey’reeatinginthecafeteria,waitingtoundergoascreening,orwaitingfortheresultsofalovedone’ssurgery.Understandingviewingtendenciesallowshealthcaremarketerstodeterminemessageduration,textandimagesize,looplengths,etc.Thiscanbediscussedup-frontduringtheon-sitesurvey.

5.Strengthenyourbrandimage–Isyourcontentanddisplayauniqueidentifierforyourhospital?Doesitdifferentiatethevariousfacilitiesinyourhealthsystem?Forexample,youmightwantyourchildren’shospitaltohaveadifferentlookandfeelthanthemainhospital.Yourvendorshouldbeabletoprovidedifferent“skins”andbackgroundsforyourmonitorstosupportyourdifferentfacilitiesandwaitingareas,ifdesired.

6.Provideuniquecontentviewingareasoneachmonitor–Youshouldhavetheoptionofchoosingdifferentcontentareasforeachmonitor.Thismayincludeamainwindoworchannelforviewinglargeimages,animations,andvideo;asidebarlocationforimportanttextsuchasphonenumbersandwebsiteaddresssoviewerscanrespondtomessagesandtakeactionimmediately,andascrollareathatincludesscrollingormovingcontentwhereviewerscanreceivereal-timeinformation.Theseadditionalcontentareaswillimpactyourabilitytoeffectivelycommunicatewithyourdiverseaudiencesanddeliverreal-timeoremergencysituationupdates.Youshouldalsolookforavendorwhowillnotlockyouintoanycontentwindowselection“forlife,”butwhowillofferyoutheopportunitytochangethesewindowsorcontentareasshouldyouraudiencesorcommunicationsneedschange.

7.Softwareshouldenableyoutoplancontentinadvancebeforemonitorsareinstalled,sowhenhardwareinstallationisfinishedyourcontenthasalreadybeencreatedandscheduledandyouarereadytogolive.Nooneshouldeverbeviewingablankmonitor.

Additionally…

Your digital signage healthcare content should:

1.Relievepatientanxietywith“whattoexpect”messages.

2.Encouragepatientstouseyourotherservices.

3.Ensurepeoplevisitingpatientsalsocomebacktouseyourservices.

4.Establishyourfacilityasahealthresource,notjustaplacepeoplegotowhenill.

5.Inspireemployeestorefertheirfriendsandfamily.

6.Supportphysicianeffortsatpatienteducation.

7.Providepatienteducationtohelpmaintainastateof“surveyreadiness”forJointCommissionvisits.

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8.Addresscommonlyaskedquestionsandimprovecustomerservicetoreducequestionsaskedofstaffandkeepthemfreetodotheirjobs.

9.Encouragereferralsandeventregistration.

10.Letpeopleknowtheyareimportant,theirtimeisvalued,andtheirhealthcareconcernsarelegitimate.

11.Recognizeoutstandingemployeesandintroducenewphysicians.

12.Effectivelycommunicatewithphysiciansandstaffaboutupcomingevents,CMEs,qualitymetrics,etc.

13.Improvepatientsafety.

14.Conditionbehaviorwitheffectivecalls-to-action.

15.Improveandelevateinternalcommunicationwithstaff.

16.Beflexibleandcreative–thepossibilitiesareendless!

Tips for optimal content and design layouts:

•Makethemostimportantpointthemostprominent–Considerwhereyouwanttheviewer’seyestogotofirst.

•Keepyourimageconsistentwithyourbrand–andtherestofthemarketinginyourhospital.

•Usecolor,contrast,andfont/imagesizewell–tocatchtheviewer’sattentionandmakeyourmessagestandoutandeasytoread.

•Understandhowmotionaffectstheviewer–Isyourdisplaytoobusy?Istheretoomuchmovementornoneatall?Whereistheviewergoingtolookfirst?Doesthemovementdistractfromwhatyouarereallytryingtoconvey?

•Delivercontentyouwantyouraudiencestosee,feel,experience,andlearnabout–Don’toverdoit.Deliveryourmessage,giveyouraudienceachancetorespond,andmoveon.Ifthepointisimportant,makeitagainatanothertime.Reinforcementisgood,redundancyisnot.

•Remembertokeepitsimple!–It’snotalwayseasytodoso,especiallyinhealthcare,butrememberthepointisnotjusttodeliveramessage,buttodeliveritinsuchawaythattheviewerunderstandsthemessageandisprovidedwiththeopportunitytorespondtoit.

Templates

Templateshelpwithbrandingdifferenttypesofdigitalsignagecommunicationstoyouruniqueaudiences.Forexample,aCMEtemplatethatiseasilyrecognizabletophysiciansontheirwaytogetcoffeeinthedoctor’sloungecangivethemtheinformationtheyneedinashortamountoftime.And,iftheyseethistemplateeverymonth,theywillcometodependonitasavaluablesourceofreadilyavailableinformation.

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File formats

Bewareofacompanythatsaysyoucanuseanyfileformat,likeaPowerPointpresentation,forexample.Manyformatsarenotoptimaloreveneffectiveforlarge-screenhigh-definitionviewingandmayevendenigratethevalueandappearanceofyourcommunications.JustbecauseasystemallowsyoutodisplayPowerPointdoesnotmeaneverythingyouseeinthepresentationwilllookgood,translatewell,andappearintherightsizeandclarityonceitisuponalarge,high-definitionmonitor.Limitedfileformatsmaybeinyourbestinterestforthedigitalsignagemedium.

Contentcreationandcontentmanagementfeeswillvarydrasticallyfromonecompanytothenext,soyoushouldmakealistofwhat’sincludedandwhat’snottohelpyoumakeyourdecision.Ideally,youwantasystemthatenablesyoutocreateyourowncontent,providesready-madehealthcontentallowingyoutotargeteachofyourhealthcareaudiences,andalsooffersacombinationofthetwo.Somevendorscanalsosupplycompletelycustomizedcontent.Yourdigitalsignagevendorshouldbeabletoprovideavarietyofstaticimagescreens,aswellasscreenswithmovement(includingvideo,animation,orboth).Somecompaniesalsoprovidemodulesforweather,traffic,andotherapplications.Itisuptoyoutodeterminethevalueofofferingthistypeofcontentanditspotentialimpactonyouraudiencesversusanyassociatedadditionalcosts.

Price range:Thecostofbuyingcustomcontentvariesgreatlydependingonquantity,quality,andvendor.Aself-servicecontentmanagementsystemwithgraphicsandtechnicalsupportmayhavehighannualfees.Somevendorsincludeacontentlibraryasapartoftheirannualfees,somevendorsofferoutsideadvertisingagencies,andsomevendorsoffergraphicsservicesinternally.Animatedcontentcancostatleast$2,500to$5,000peranimationorupto$250/hourforcreatingcustomcontent.Youwillneedtodoaside-by-sidecomparisontoseewhateachvendorisofferingfortheprice.Agencieswillcharge$300ormoreperstaticdigitalsignagemessage.

Questions to ask about content:

1.Whatdothecontentmanagementfeesinclude?

2.OnceIcreatemycontent,whatarethedatastoragefees,andwhydoIneedtoaccountforthesecosts?

3.Doyouprovidealibraryofready-madecontentofinteresttomytargetedhealthcareaudiences?

4.Whatfileformatswillnottranslatewellforviewingonlargedigitalmonitors?Whichonestranslateoptimally?

5.Doyouprovideahealthcarecontentlibrary?

6.Whatisthecosttohaveyouoryouroutsidepartycreatecontent?

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Yourcontentmanagementsoftwareshouldbeabletoconsistentlydelivercontenttoyourmediaplayersystemwhenyouwantandneedit.Thissoftwareshouldallowyoutocreateplaylistsforeachmonitorandenableyouto:

1.Scheduleyourowntimelinesforplayingcontent.

2.Addandremovemessagesatyourdiscretion.

3.Makechangestoamessageandthenscheduletherevisedmessageforplayonceagain.

4.Accessaweb-basedsystemremotely.Alocallyhostedsystemmaynotallowyoutoupdateand/orutilizeexistingornewcontentfrommultiplelocations,suchasfromhomeorwhiletraveling.Youwillneedtotakeintoaccountthelimitationsofalocalsystem.

TRAINING

Allvendorsshouldprovidetrainingandsupportinhowtousetheirsystem.Thesecostswillvarysignificantlydependingonthetypeofsystemprovided,thenumberofpeopletobetrained,wherethetrainingistobeperformed,etc.

Questions to ask regarding training:

1.Whattypeoftrainingdoyouprovide?

2.Howlongwillthetrainingtakeandhowmanypeoplecanyouaccommodate?

3.Whereisthetrainingperformed?Doyouhaveweb-basedtraining?Doyouprovideon-site,hands-ontraining?

4.Arethereadditionaltrainingfeesiftherearechangesinpersonnelornewpeoplearebroughtinovertimewhoarenewtothesystem?Whatarethosefees?

SERVICE and SUPPORT

Whathappensifsomethinggoeswrong,technicallyorotherwise?Doesyourvendorprovide24/7support?Whatifyourprogramjustisn’tgettingthecommunicationsjobdone–istheresomeoneyoucancallforguidanceandsupport?Whathappensifyouwanttoincludeanotherlocationinyoursignageplanandaddanewmonitor?Willyouhaveonecontactpersonwhohandlesyouraccount?Doesyourvendorknowyouraccount,orareyoujustanothernumber?Undertakingaprojectofthisnaturerequirestechnicalsupportandassistance,24/7monitoring,remoteservicemaintenance,andsoftwareupdates.Somevendorsofferongoing,dailysupporttodealwithanysoftwareissues,bestpractices,messageideasandimplementationofcampaigns,andphasedexpansionofyoursystem.

Ver2.10


Undoubtedly,youwillhavequestionsandneedsupportasyouusedigitalsignage.Evenifyouareusingasystemwhereyouareincontrolofyourcontentanditsdesignanddistribution,youneedtoknowthatyourvendorunderstandsyourchallenges,yourobjectives,andyouraudiences,andisthereforyou!

Questions to ask regarding service and support:

1.Whattypeofmonitoringandtechnicalsupportareprovided?Isyoursupport24/7?Howmuchdoesitcost?

2.Whattypeofcustomersupportisprovidedforsoftwarequestionsorguidancewithyourcontentandcampaigns?Howmuchdoesthiscost?

3.Whatresourcesdoyouprovideregardingbestpracticesfordigitalsignage,specificallyinhealthcare,tooptimizeoursystem?

EQUIPMENT WARRANTIES

Warranties and service contracts

Today,thereare3-yearon-sitewarrantiesformanycommercialmonitors,soitmaynotbenecessarytoobtainextendedwarranties.Pleaseaskyourvendoraboutthespecificwarrantiesprovidedandwhattheycover.Aservicewarrantyusuallydependsontheinitialpurchasepriceofthemonitor.

Questions to ask regarding warranties:

1.Whatexactlydoesmywarrantycover?

2.Howlongisthewarrantycoverage?

3.Whatistheprocessforreplacingamonitororgettingonefixedifsomethingshouldgowrong?

4.Isthereawarrantyonthemediaplayer?Whattypeandforhowlong?Whatistheprocessforrepairing/replacingaplayerifsomethinggoeswrong?

For questions about digital signage for healthcare providers, and for information about ChannelCare digital signage, exclusively for healthcareplease call Vericom at 800-800-1090 or visit us at www.vericom.net.

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Ver2.10

healthcare digital signage 2010 what you need to know

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