Patients/visitors/family members often find it challenging to literally navigate the SFGH campus.  They get lost, miss appointments, waste their time walking around, etc.  It can be a potentially daunting, off-putting, or frustrating experience.

Having trained volunteers who can help these visitors in terms of directions, language, culture, navigation of the health care system, etc. would be a patient-centered welcome to SFGH which would engender increased good will and collaboration between patients and their SFGH providers, as well as have a positive impact on their healthcare in terms of improved compliance and decreased no-shows, missed appointments, patient frustration, etc.

Two (low-hanging fruit) measures which can be implemented in a cost-effective manner:

1.  "Patient concierges" (volunteers) on each floor which has significant numbers of visitor traffic, in the hospital(s) and clinic buildings, who actively, warmly, and eagerly welcome visitors and offer assistance in navigating our campus.  This is akin to concierge services provided at larger hotels, other hospitals, etc.

2.  "Patient welcome staff" (volunteers) who meet patients/visitors at the SFGH curb/roundabout (e.g. the wheel-chair bound) and help escort them to their sites.  This is akin to the welcome services provided at the airport for the physically disabled.