Reception and Check-In Clinic Design: Décor and Efficiency

March 24, 2014
|In Hospital design, Medical Practice Management
|By Linda Socher
Last week, in Reception and Check-In Clinic Design: Comfort and Safety we discussed ways to use furniture arrangement and safety precautions as good measures of providing a safe, comfortable atmosphere for your patient reception area. Today, the topic continues with decorating and construction options that increase the ambience and improve productivity, as well.

Décor

The décor of your clinic’s reception area sets the tone and provides the right ambience to put your patients at ease. Choose a color scheme in tones that blend nicely together. While it’s important for the furniture to contrast with the carpeting (see safety), it shouldn’t clash, either.  Consider the mood your want to project, and choose accordingly. For a pediatric office, choose cheery primary colors such as purple, blue, red, and orange. For a rehabilitative center, your patients may prefer gentle pastels for a soothing environment. If you operate a natural alternative medical clinic, then perhaps earthy tones of sage, brown, and rust are to your advantage. Consider the reading materials you provide for your patients. Medical information (brochures, pamphlets) should be accurate, interesting, and relevant for your patient’s needs. If your patients are senior citizens, then offer literature in large print.

Efficiency

Design your reception area with efficiency and functionality in mind. A well-planned check-in desk, positioned in an easily-accessible space will help to minimize patient waiting and keep the flow of your medical office moving. Choose an office layout that encourages easy communication between your patients, doctors, and the rest of your medical staff. Hallway should be free of obstacles, and signage should be placed in prominent locations throughout. Doorways should swing with the flow of patient traffic. Display business cards for each of the doctors in your practice, so patients have easy access to information about your private practice.

Do you have questions?

A qualified medical construction contractor can help you get your clinic’s reception area, check-in, patient room or other healthcare facility spaces in order, for maximum productivity, patient satisfaction, and compliance to safety code. Feel free to comment below! Image credit