With more than 2 million-square-feet and nearly 300 destinations at San Antonio Military Medical Center, it's easy to make a wrong turn.
Fortunately, Brooke Army Medical Center is providing help with a new technology called the Wayfinder, an interactive touch screen map kiosk that helps patients navigate their way throughout the medical center easily and quickly.
BAMC Chief Technology Officer Maj. Chadwick Fletcher explained that there are several different ways the Wayfinder helps you get to your destination.
"It's a simple proces -- anyone can go up and type in a key word or a title on the computer monitor, search for their specific locations in the hospital and the Wayfinder will give animated directions or even print out a map for them at the nearest information desk," said Fletcher.
Fletcher also adds that the Wayfinder has a unique feature for those who aren't interested in paper maps, but something that will work on their smart phone.
"One of the features we brought into the device was a QR Code or Quick Response Code," he said. "This allows the Wayfinder to bring up the printed directions and then transfer the information to a smart phone using the phone's QR App."
Marcos Garcia, Information Services supervisor, agreed that the new Wayfinder is a welcomed addition and should make visits to SAMMC go a little smoother.
"Sometimes our information folks and volunteers get very busy answering phones. On an average, they receive between two and three-hundred phone calls a day," said Garcia. "The Wayfinder isn't here to replace our people, but it is a helping hand so to speak -- it's an added service to provide information for our patients and staff at all times."
There are six Wayfinders located at all SAMMC main entrances and are ready to assist and guide patients to wherever they need to go.
Social Sharing