Hospital kiosk design: how to build a terminal people actually use
Bridge team · November 6, 2026 · 2 min read
SHORT ANSWER
People using a hospital kiosk often see it for the first time and are under stress. So the interface must be clear without instructions: 3–5 large buttons on the first screen, large text, short flows, automatic reset and accessibility for wheelchair users — controls within reach roughly 15 to 48 inches (38–122 cm) from the floor.
How a kiosk differs from an app
- People didn’t install it or learn how to use it.
- There’s a queue nearby, so a flow has only a minute or two.
- The screen is large and vertical, and the user stands at arm’s length.
- Strangers use it in turn, so data privacy matters.
Interface
- On the first screen — 3–5 main actions as large labelled buttons: “Book a doctor”, “Get a ticket”, “Find a room”.
- Tap targets much larger than in an app: it’s harder to hit with a finger on a vertical screen.
- Key buttons in the lower half of the screen so wheelchair users can reach them too.
- A large numeric keypad for a phone or declaration number instead of a full keyboard.
- Language choice on the first screen.
Accessibility
- The US ADA standard requires controls within a reach range of 15 to 48 inches (about 38–122 cm) from the floor — a good benchmark for Ukraine too.
- An option to enlarge on-screen text.
- Color must not be the only way to convey meaning: status is duplicated in text.
- For people with visual impairments — audio guidance via headphones and tactile buttons.
Security and privacy
- Automatic return to the first screen after inactivity and after each completed flow.
- Minimal personal data on screen: masked phone number and surname.
- A printed ticket or QR code instead of keeping data on screen for long.
Before launch, always test the prototype right in the hospital lobby with real visitors.