Researchers at the Montreal General Hospital have developed a new smartphone app that uses indoor GPS technology to help patients and visitors navigate complex hospital layouts. The app, tested over six months, reduced wrong turns by 40% and cut average travel time by 25%.
How the App Works
The app relies on Bluetooth beacons installed throughout the hospital, which communicate with a user's phone to provide turn-by-turn directions to specific departments, rooms, or amenities. Unlike traditional maps, the app updates in real time, accounting for temporary closures or construction.
Dr. Marie-Claude Lefebvre, lead researcher and emergency physician at the Montreal General Hospital, stated: 'We found that patients who used the app reported 60% less anxiety about getting lost. This is a simple, low-cost solution that can significantly improve the hospital experience.'
Study Results and Impact
The study involved 500 participants over six months. Key findings include a 40% reduction in wrong turns, a 25% decrease in average travel time (from 12 to 9 minutes), and a 60% drop in self-reported anxiety among users. The app also reduced the number of staff interruptions for directions by 35%.
Hospital administrators are now considering expanding the app to other facilities in the Montreal region. The app is currently available for free on iOS and Android.
