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Since the first fire engine and the first police car, it has become increasingly important for emergency vehicles to bear graphics that distinguish them from vehicles around them. When it comes to police cars, this necessity is taken to a new level.

One of the daily challenges that a police officer faces is embodying a persona that reflects confidence and authority, and not just on the road. To be fair, the law of the road is to pull over to any sirens you hear behind you or approaching you from the front, but generally when you look in the rearview mirror, there is no mistaking a cop car for a fire engine.

In terms of representing authority, uniformity in quantity goes a long way, so to say that the graphics on a single police car become instrumental in weaving a picture of authority would be unfair. The same graphics repeated on the same make and model vehicle, however, do accomplish that.

Another reason that the graphics on a police car are so important is because police need to distinguish themselves for emergency reasons. Getting pulled over is one thing. Needing to locate a cop to file a report in an emergency situation is another. By their distinguishing qualities, the graphics on a police car provide a sense of comfort to the community by representing a presence of protection.

The presence of a police vehicle can be as comforting as it can be unnerving. Nobody likes to see a cop in the rearview mirror, but cops are on constant security detail, and special detail. Think back to the last time you saw a cop leading a funeral procession. Because of the graphics on the cruiser, the start of the procession was easily identifiable. More often than not, if there is a cop in the front of the procession, there is a cop in the back, signaling the end of the procession. In this regard, the presence of police vehicles lends a sense of comfort to those who might be searching for it.

Finally, the graphics on police vehicles, in their replication through different towns, identify one town’s police vehicle from another. Because they are easily distinguished from one another, jurisdiction issues are made clear, leaving more time for collaboration.

However you choose to view the graphics on police cars, it is important to note, ultimately, that what they represent is safety, protection and service.

The Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care certifies ambulatory surgery centers in the United States. The AAAHC is always reviewing its standards and revising its standards, even adding new standards as they become required by the ever-changing health care field.

Whatever those standards are at any given time, your service center needs to meet them. Their surveyors include people from all walks of the health care field, including physicians, dentists, podiatrists, pharmacists, nurses and administrators. Based on how they decide, your institution is accredited for three years. However, if your center does not meet their standards, it will receive a deferral or denial of accreditation.

The AAAHC is all about meeting the highest-possible standards for patient care and safety. And so long as your organization meets the following criteria, it is ready for accreditation.

• Life is a journey, not a destination.
• So along the way, enjoy the best.
• At Fat Witch Bakery, we're not in a hurry.
• We bake in small batches and do what is known in the trade as "scratch baking." And we use natural ingredients.
• We create products where quality trumps quantity.
• We're not trying to bake everything for everybody.
• We're baking for people with good taste and that includes their taste buds.
• We don't add emulsifiers, gas flushes or other things you wouldn't add.
• We like to add a touch of whimsy and we hope you like our sense of humor.
• Life is too serious to be taken seriously.
• Thank you for visiting our website and enjoy the Witches because these are the best brownies EVER!

Mars International is a Custom Fashion Accessories Group delivers expertly crafted custom decorative hardware, jewelry, accessories, and fabrics to principal designers and luxury brand owners in the fashion industry. 

Hospitals are the kind of businesses that don't have time to get bogged down in minutia and updates. When it comes to getting accredited and registered with the right agencies, you need to get it right the first time and not have to worry about it again.

Getting accredited by The Joint Commission is a big part of that process and it's not something you want to risk. Becoming one of the 19,000 health care organizations accredited by The Joint Commission means a lot to your hospital, it's staff and it's patients. 

The Joint Commission's stated mission to "To continuously improve health care for the public, in collaboration with other stakeholders, by evaluating health care organizations and inspiring them to excel in providing safe and effective care of the highest quality and value".

Why is Joint Commission accreditation so important to your hospital?

As a hospital facility manager, you know that a hospital audit as the Joint Commission review is a critical time for your facility and for your patients. Depending on your state and locality, there are different laws and regulations that you need to meet when it comes to signage, not to mention all of the ADA signage regulations.

Make sure you are aware of the signage requirements that your hospital has in order to ensure that your next hospital audit is a successful one. Reliability is the key for any hospital and that starts with the signage. Here are the types of guidelines you need to know:

Federal & ADA hospital signage requirements

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) includes an extremely large list of ADA sign regulations. Not all of those regulations apply to hospitals but many do. In particular, section 6 covers regulations for medical care facilities. Sometimes, hospitals are granted exceptions to accommodate unique health services but even then there are critical steps that need to be taken in order to ensure patient satisfaction. Making sure that hallways, doors, entrances, exits and machines are properly noted and directions are posted on signage for all of them in accordance with the ADA is critical.

Common Hospital Signage Requirements

Almost every state requires that hospitals have signs notifying patients that the facility is licensed and in compliance with state laws in order to protect patient advocacy. Specific laws and mandates can apply to entire medical facilities or just to specific health service departments in a building or hospital. Because patient advocacy is such a major component of hospital signage, information about patients, their confidentiality, and the available services are another important part of hospital signage requirements. Signs that detail the rights and compensation for crime victims, interpreter availability, availability of nurse staff, and info on financial assistance are often required, if not expected.

Basic Guidelines & Wayfinding

Once you get past the laws, there are also expectations being laid out by your hospital and administrators. You want patients and guests to be able to find their way around easily and without issue. There should be signage in order to make that process as easy as possible for them.  Hospital wayfinding, using signs and landmarks to help first-time visitors navigate your facility without confusion, should be paramount in your efforts for patient satisfaction. Make sure your signs are clearly marked, cell phone policies are clear, waiting room directions are easy to read and understand and patient room content is understood. This is also where you can lean on digital signage to help make the patient and guest experience much easier.

When it comes to businesses marketing to customers, it can basically be defined as "the process by which companies create value for customers and build strong customer relationships." You could also say that, at it's core, marketing is about identifying, satisfying and keeping your customers.

And every one of those steps can be heavily-influenced by signage, especially the kind that showcases the branding of your logo and message.

In fact, the value of signs as marketing tools is as simple to understand as ABC

• Attracting New Customers: Some studies say that 85% of your customers live within five miles of your business. That means if you want to find customers outside your base after you've saturated the local market, you're going to need to use outdoor signs and other techniques to get them.

• Branding Your Business: Since so many of your potential customers leave nearby, they should be come so familiar with your brand and business that it's second-nature for them to stop in when they need something. That's only going to happen if there are signs outside and around town constantly reminding them about your brand.

• Creating Impulse Sales: Chances are, at some point, a sign has made you stop what you were doing and enter a store to buy something. Maybe you didn't know you wanted that item until you saw the sign but you knew as soon as you saw it that you were going to get what you need. Impulsive sales cannot be overlooked and signage like illuminated signs can help you secure more of them.

If you truly want to follow "marketing 101" when it comes to promoting your business, you'll want to make sure you're taking advantage of signage to the fullest. And here are some of the best options available for you:

• Carved Signs - If you are located near a street or open space where customers pass by often, a carved sign can be a great way to spark attention and build dependable branding. There are plenty of ways to make a carved sign stand out, including making it gilded, sandblasted, painted with vinyl graphics or lighted. Quality sign companies will make durable signs that won't warp from weather or time as well as making sure the paint won't crack. Like your brand, your sign should last a long time.

• Illuminated Signs- Chances are, your customers don't stop needing things once the sun goes down. So a lighted sign makes a lot of sense. Even during the day, they attract attention and stand out from the crowd. Thanks to technology like LED, the landscape of signage has changed as the list of things you can do has increased exponentially.

• Monument Signs - If your business is inside a plaza or office complex, a monument sign is a great way to let customers know they can find you inside with a style of signage that stands the test of time and provides a durable branding opportunity. The weather-resistant material should last you for years as your business grows and your brand remains strong. Just like the sign.

• Painted Signs - Is your business about attention to detail, quality or artisan craft? Then a painted sign might be the best option for your business. A painted sign showcases quality graphics and/or images that speak to your desire for customers to see you and expect quality from your business.

• Awnings - Sometimes a sign isn't a sign. If an awning makes sense for your business, it can be like multiple signs in one. You can choose from hundreds of styles, colors and graphics that complement your building, logo and branding. It's hard to go wrong with awnings.

POP or point of sale signage is a critical but sometimes overlooked part of the retail experience. Maybe you've done a good job branding your message in advertisements and created external signs to let customers know where to find you, but if you're lacking POP signs, you might be missing out of the opportunity to "close the sale" with customers in your store.

What makes POP or point of sale so important? These are the kinds of signs that prompt a customer to make a purchase when they're already in your store and even near the register or checkout. It's that little reminder that influences an impulse purchase or reminder to pick up something they had forgotten about.

Most importantly, POP signage helps drive home brand awareness. Whether you're trying to call attention to specials, sales or just to your brand, internal and external point of sale signs are what often seal the deal.

If you can think of a leading retailer, they are almost certainly using POP displays. Some examples include Dunkin Donuts, McDonald's or FedEx Office. You might think restaurants and retailers like these don't need it but POP signage is driving home specific and branding messages to consumers who might not realize the specific offers are available.

So what are some of the best options available to you in POP and point of sale signage?

Dimensional Displays - You don't just want to slap a logo on a sign and then hope for the best. You want to stand out from the crowd, and one way to do that is to get a dimensional sign or display. Dimensional letters and signs add a value to your business, make your logo and brand more eye-catching and will drive traffic to your business.

Often times dimensional displays also work great for trade shows and events away from your store or office. In a room full of companies trying to get noticed, you want your displays to be the most attractive, most clean and to be the most clear at branding your message.

Dimensional signs  can be designed in a wide variety of materials, including metal, acrylic, PVC, flush mounted or stud mounted. Depending on what style you choose, the message you convey might be different, so make sure you work with a company that understands what will work best for your message.

Banner Stands - If you want to make it easy to transport your POP from store to store or trade show to trade show, maybe you want to invest in a banner stand, specifically a pop-up stand. A quality stand allows you to replace and remove graphics easily depending on where you're placing it, includes strong casing that's lightweight and easy to move and comes with a carry bag to make transportation a breeze. A spider banner stand isn't as scary as it sounds, it's an extremely light and movable version of the pop-up stand that makes life easy and lets you display your brand message wherever you are.

Banners - Sponsoring an event in town or opening a new location? A digitally-printed or vinyl banner is an essential tool in driving home branding as well as messaging. Whatever the occasion, make sure that your message is clear, easy-to-read and movable based on what is happening in real-time. A quality banner stands the test of time and, assuming it's not time-specific, can be re-used with minimal wear and tear shown.

There is more to POP but now you know the essentials. It's easy to forget about adding the final piece of the signage puzzle but it's a step we promise you don't want to overlook.

Whether you're starting your own business from scratch, opening a local franchise or managing the new location of a major corporation, there's one concern that every single business share.

Making sure people know where you are and who are are.

Regardless of your size or brand, there's one solution to that problem for everyone...signage.

However, the question of what kind of sign works best for you and your brand is where the differences emerge. Different types of signs provide different values and levels of branding.

Let's take a look at some of the options available in commercial signage to determine what works best for your business:

Lighted Signs - When you want your message to really stand out from the crowd, especially once the sun goes down, you'll want to look into lighted signs. These signs attract the eye and get passers-by to focus on your business.

Anyone looking specifically for your logo won't be able to miss it and those traveling by won't be able to help but notice it.

Neon is a mainstay of the lighted sign world but LED is also an extremely viable option, one that has changed the landscape of lighted signs. It may be worth the investment given the opportunities LED presents to making your business stand out from the crowd.

Carved Signs - If you're located near a street or want to give you signage some depth, a carved sign may work best for you. A quality carved sign showcases attention to detail and craftsmanship, qualities that you want people to associate with your brand and business.

Carved signs are often gilded, sandblasted, painted with vinyl graphics or lighted and any good sign company can provide these services to make your brand pop as potential customers drive by.

With carved signs, it's important to make sure the substrates are designed not to warp. That would allow paint to crack, which could lead to peeling.

Painted Signs - If you want to give your brand or business a real hand-crafted or personal touch, how about a painted sign. There's an attention to detail that comes across in a painted sign that customers truly appreciate.

Signs can be strictly paint or include vinyl graphics, painted graphics or even digital graphics.

Monument Signs - Is your business inside a plaza or shopping center. Stand out from the crowd with this elegant option that creates immediate brand awareness and provides an air of professionalism perfect for any office or company.

Quality monument signs are made from weather-resistant material that withstands climate changes and remains as-is for years. A well-crafted sign should stand the test of time.

Dimensional Signs - Does every business around you have the same-old lettering and font on their signs? Stand out with dimensional letters and signs that make your logo and company name instantly eye-catching.

There's little to limit what kind of dimensional look you want. Various metal and acrylics are available and you can choose between flush-mounted or stud-mounted options to see which one works best for you.

Framed Aluminum Signs - Need a sign that really pops but don't have a budget to go nuts with? Then you might want to try a framed aluminum sign. Put your company info on an aluminum sheet with graphics, surrounded by angle aluminum framing and all of a sudden you've got a great sign that will stand the test of time without costing you an arm and a leg.

There are quite a few more options out there for you so I suggest you check out a quality sign company near you to find out what they can do to help your shout your branding and message to the rooftops!