Not long ago, Ochsner launched its Emergency Room Wait Times feature that lists and updates the wait times across Ochsner’s medical network so that you can make the best choice for fast access to excellent care. Great idea.

Better idea? Make it mobile. Dynamic content is why web browsers entered the mobile arena. Also, wherever an emergency occurs, someone has a cell phone in a pocket or purse. You don’t have to walk away from someone who’s injured or wait for a computer to wake up. Instant info gives instant help.

The trick to building effective mobile versions of existing web pages is to cut out everything except what people need for mobile use. For Ochsner’s ER page, we focused on the widget and minimized images to provide a quick-loading page with exactly the information needed in case of an emergency. We kept the address, phone number, hospital photo and link to Google Maps for directions.

The Google Maps integration works with any mobile browser. On an iPhone, clicking “Map it with Google” loads the Maps application and gives you directions. On other mobile phones, Google Maps loads within the page. Either way, you’re on your way.

We’re hoping you never actually need this particular feature. We’d like it to go entirely unused. Just in case, though, bookmark ochsner.org/er on your mobile browser so you can check wait times without any hassle or delay.

Let’s be careful out there.

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