One of the most complex issues doctors and nurses confront while on the job is patient communication. Relaying information is an imperfect science because no two patients are the same. Everyone perceives, absorbs and retains information in a different way. While solving the solution of effective patient/provider communication remains a frustrating puzzle for many hospitals, there is one effective way to present information that is backed by science: custom dry erase boards.

Surveys have found that 80% of patients believe the use of dry erase boards makes it easier to communicate with members of treatment teams. Another study found that the use of patient room boards significantly increased the amount of patients who knew their:

• Physician's name

• Goals for admission

• Estimated discharge date

The science clearly demonstrates the benefits of implementing dry erase boards in the hospital setting, but the benefits they provide patients can be greatly increased when used effectively. To get the most out of your patient dry erase boards, follow these whiteboard communication tips.

Include the Right Information

What goes on the dry erase board is just as important as what stays off of it. Including too much information will make the fonts smaller and harder to read. It can also be overwhelming for patients to see a wall of writing. That's why it's important to understand which information is important to most patients and use that as the basic organization for your whiteboard fields.

Most patients want to know:

• The names of their doctors, nurses, physical therapists and any other staff who will be working with them.

• The date: staying in a hospital for an extended period of time can be disorienting.

• Their room and phone number (so that they may be relayed to friends and family).

• Their goals for discharge.

• The next time a meal will be served.

Keep in mind that the best information for a whiteboard can change based on the area of the hospital the board is placed.

Placement Matters

Where dry erase boards are placed are an often overlooked factor. Depending on the size of the font, most people will be able to read whiteboards that are placed no more than 10 feet away the bed. It's also best to place them correctly so that nurses can speak and make eye with patients as they write. Patients are more likely to retain information that is spoken to them while it is being written down.

Know the Demographics

If your hospital is located in an area with a high population of non-English speaker, you can choose the option of having whiteboards that display multiple languages, or you can invest in whiteboards that have changeable inserts, allowing nurses to swap out cards for the right language.

Work With Communication Experts

Our team here at VividBoard specialize in patient and provider communication. If you are uncertain which information should be displayed on your whiteboard, contact our team to discover the best whiteboard layouts for your needs.