HosNav includes maps, parking information, diagnostic test preparations and more
BRAMPTON/ETOBICOKE, ON , June 25, 2014 /CNW/ - Starting today, William Osler Health System (Osler)'s patients and visitors will have the organization's hospitals at their fingertips when Osler launches its first mobile app, HosNav. The free iPhone app, available for download from the iTunes app store, will act as a guidebook for patients and visitors during their experiences at Brampton Civic Hospital and Etobicoke General Hospital.
With help from the app's handy navigation tool, patients and visitors can map out every step of their route; from street maps leading them to the appropriate hospital, to tips on finding the hospital parking lot and entrance nearest their destination, and to floor plans guiding them to the hospital area or clinic they must visit. HosNav also has an informative diagnostic test feature, which allows users to see what preparation is required for most diagnostic tests offered at the hospitals.
"We are thrilled to launch our first-ever mobile app and to have the opportunity to impact the patient experience in such a meaningful way," said Matthew Anderson, President and CEO, William Osler Health System. "In this digital age, more and more people are using their smartphones as maps, day planners and research tools. By combining these features in our HosNav app, we hope to relieve some of the apprehension patients may experience before coming into the hospital and help them to more easily navigate their Osler experience.
HosNav was the winning entry in Osler's national student app contest, Kiss My App – which was one of the first contests of its kind in Canada. Kiss My App challenged undergraduate students to think about a perceived issue in health care, and then develop an app to help address it. HosNav creator Atinderpal (Atinder) Singh Multani walked away with the $10,000 grand prize, donated by Osler's Student Volunteer Youth Committee, for his winning submission.
"HosNav will be a remarkable help to the thousands of patients and visitors who come through our hospitals every day," said Lori Diduch, Executive Vice President of People, Service and Performance, William Osler Health System. "The app is just one part of an organization-wide effort to ensure the voice of the patient is incorporated in everything we do. We look forward to seeing what this app will do for our patients and visitors, and to learning from our efforts to help inform what we do moving forward."
Osler plans to launch the second iteration of its popular Kiss My App contest in the fall of 2014. More information about the contest will be available on Osler's website over the summer.
"Winning Osler's Kiss My App contest was a fantastic experience," said Atinder Multani. "The contest gave me the opportunity to gain first-hand insight into the health care and technology sectors. Less than a year ago, HosNav was just an idea in my head and now it's a reality. I'm proud that something I created will benefit so many people."
ABOUT WILLIAM OSLER HEALTH SYSTEM: William Osler Health System is a hospital system 'Accredited with Exemplary Standing' that serves 1.3 million residents of Brampton, Etobicoke, and surrounding communities within the Central West Local Health Integration Network. Osler's emergency departments are among the busiest in Ontario and its labour and delivery program is one of the largest in the province. William Osler Health System Foundation builds and fosters relationships in order to raise funds to support William Osler Health System's capital, education and research priorities at Brampton Civic Hospital, Etobicoke General Hospital and the new Peel Memorial Centre for Integrated Health & Wellness.
SOURCE William Osler Health System Foundation
For further information:
Cara Francis, Manager, Public Relations and Digital Communications, William Osler Health System, P: 905-494-2120 ext. 59467, cara.francis@williamoslerhs.ca