A key factor in creating spaces that not only increase efficiency but also help contribute to the well-being of the team is to provide flexibility in the design to allow people to work in ways that best suit their training and needs. Create flexible spaces with the use of technology and placement of equipment with the following ideas:
Utilize mobile treatment stations that allow social distancing in the event of another pandemic. Consider how and where all the rooms in the practice are positioned so that optimal efficiency is maximized from each room. The treatment area is the most used and accessed space for most practices—design spaces around the most used room.
Build a flexible space that allows the practice to accommodate unexpected emergencies or fluctuations in staffing levels.
Carefully balance the correct number of exam rooms with the types of appointments and procedures needed. Is the practice a high-volume practice? Does the team perform minor procedures in exam rooms with clients? Does the practice separate species (cat and dog entrances and exam rooms)?
Consider exam room layout focusing on the pros and cons of single door, double door, and pod exam room layout.
Set up a telemedicine room. Telemedicine allows the practice to treat more patients while providing flexibility for client and team schedules. This space can be just ample enough for a computer station and a comfortable chair to minimize the impact on total square footage. Alternatively, design these rooms to flex as meeting rooms or ultrasound spaces that optimize workflow when space is at a premium. Reasonable sound control, lighting and power, and technology infrastructure are key to the success of this room.
Blur the lines between all spaces and use nontraditional areas for treatment and examination. The resource below highlights the efficiency that can be achieved with multi-use treatment rooms.
Take a holistic approach to creating adaptable spaces in your hospital, leveraging technology, design, and innovative thinking. By embracing flexibility in their physical layout, practices can better navigate the ever-changing demands of veterinary care while supporting their team and providing first-class care to clients and pets.
