Spectrum Health Helps Patients, Visitors, Staff Navigate Facilities

The Spectrum Health Medical Center has launched a comprehensive new wayfinding system to easily guide patients, visitors and staff within and between its buildings.

The Spectrum Health Medical Center includes Butterworth Hospital, Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital, the Fred and Lena Meijer Heart Center, and the Lemmen-Holton Cancer Pavilion, opening in June.

The new wayfinding system, called Navigator, was launched March 31. It relies on clearly identified signs, landmarks, pathways and maps. It includes new signs on Michigan Street, various side streets, parking ramps and interior signs throughout the Medical Center.

“As we continue to grow, we want to help patients and visitors easily find their way around our facilities, allowing them to focus on what is most important, their health and the health of their loved ones,” said Lon Morrisson, director of facility planning, Spectrum Health.

A variety of printed maps have been developed and can be downloaded. Customizable, printable directions will be available through Navigator both online and from on-site kiosks later this year.

Spectrum Health staff have been working with the city officials and neighbors regarding the external signage. Morrisson noted that Spectrum Health employees have been trained and will play a key role in the success of Navigator.

Navigator will be implemented at Blodgett Hospital in East Grand Rapids later in 2008.

Spectrum Health is a not-for-profit health system in West Michigan that offers a full continuum of care through its seven hospitals, more than 140 service sites and 560,000-member health plan, Priority Health. Spectrum Health’s 14,000 employees, 1,500 medical staff members and 2,000 volunteers are committed to delivering the highest quality care to those in medical need. The organization provided $98.6 million in community benefit during its 2007 fiscal year. Spectrum Health has earned more than 50 national awards during the past 10 years.