Using Visual Cues to Improve Our Ward Doors 

Making sensor doors make sense

At Auckland DHB many of our wards have automated doors. Automated doors provide health and safety benefits. They eliminate the need to touch door surfaces, providing effective infection prevention control. The doors increase security on wards by requiring an ID to open the doors. The automatic doors also allow hospital beds, wheelchairs and other equipment to pass through quickly. However as the doors are triggered by motion sensors they can open unexpectedly and cause collisions.

Sketch image of visual noise on the ward doors before visual cues were added (left), photograph of ward doors before visual cues were added (right)

Sketch image of visual noise on the ward doors before visual cues were added (left), photograph of ward doors before visual cues were added (right)

To resolve this issue the DHB’s security team asked for Ara Manawa’s help. Importantly, they were looking for a solution that did not change sensors, move doorways, or contribute additional signage.


We suggested adding vinyl decals to highlight the entry keypad, where to stand and where the doors would swing. This created contextual cues to draw people’s attention, and in turn prevent collisions with the doors.


Concept 1

Concept 1

Concept 2

Concept 2

Concept3

Concept 3

These decals were prototyped in three wards and then deployed across the hospital in early 2021. We are currently gathering more insights into how this solution is working.

Vinyl decals applied to ward 41 doors

Vinyl decals applied to ward 41 doors

October 2021

THANKS TO 

Security for Safety Team 

AUTHORS 

Justin Kennedy-Good, Director, Ara Manawa 

Jenna Hagan, Visual Designer, Ara Manawa 

CONTRIBUTORS 

Natalie Parke, Spatial Designer, Ara Manawa  

Visual Design, Spatial Deisgn, User ExperienceJenna HaganVisual Design, Spatial design, user experience, patient experience, staff, ward, ward doors, security, security for safety, sensor, Feature