When it comes to your practice, the design of your practice will determine not only how your patients will feel during their stay, but also how you and your staff will be using the practice space every day. Planning the space thoroughly will help you make the most of your construction budget and improve your daily workflow. Working with design professionals that are certified and experienced in the medical sector can help you achieve the practice of your dreams.
When meeting with designers and construction professionals, consult them about the following:
Traffic flow
Make your practice as comfortable as you can for clients, adding amenities such as screens and areas with refreshments. Work with your designer to not only create those spaces for your patients, but also keep the traffic flow in mind so it will be easy for patients to find examination rooms. To improve the work flow and productivity for your staff, add passages for them to walk between examination rooms in a timely manner.
Lighting
Natural light is an important factor for patients, and to avoid a “too clinical” feel of the practice space. As natural lighting is sometimes not possible, work with designers and construction firms to incorporate soft light sources to give your space a bright and open feel. Avoid lighting that is too harsh, but keep in mind that patients will need enough light to easily fill out documents.
Color scheme
White is often the most popular color choice for medical spaces due to its clean and serene nature. It is recommended to paint the waiting room a different color than examination rooms to give the spaces a different feel for patients. When determining interior space colors of your practice, base the interior colors on your practice branding.
Flooring
There are many flooring choices available, each having different benefits. Often, carpeting is used in the waiting room to create a comfortable and inviting feel. For exam and treatment rooms, ceramic flooring is used for sterilization purposes. As every medical practice is different, their flooring material needs are different and should be matched to the individual practice.