Clinics By Design, Author at Clinics By Design

Parking Matters

As a complete design and construct solution for medical and dental clinics we constantly get asked about car parking and your legal requirements.

In a nut shell, as per the current Victorian Planning Provisions; you need to provide:

5 parking spaces for the first person providing health services, plus
3 parking spaces for every other person providing health services

Under the Building Code of Australia (BCA), some of the required number of car parking spaces must be allocated as disabled car parking spaces, which must be in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2890.6-2009 (Disabled) and the BCA.

You must always speak to your local council first to see if they have any further requirements as it can vary from council to council. You may also require assistance from a Town Planner if an application for a car parking reduction is required.

Clinics By Design are experienced in the Town Planning process and can take care of your town planning application plans & reports.

Would you like PVC or Polyurethane with that?

Other / By Clinics By Design

So this is probably a question you wouldn’t expect to be asked when selecting the type of vinyl you want upholstered on your clinics chairs. Usually we would just ask you which colour you prefer and leave the rest to us, but it is very important that you know the difference between vinyls and how they can change depending on the area they are going to end up in.

Proper cleaning (or lack of) is one of the biggest problems we have when it comes to the upkeep of seating. Every product comes with a cleaning guide from the manufacturer which outlines the type of products that can be used on it, proper cleaning regime and what you should keep away from the material. This is something we will always pass onto you, the client, at the end of every project in the hope it will be passed onto the correct person.

Unfortunately though 9 times out of 10 these documents go missing and a few months later problems start occurring.

Plasticisation Migration is the result of bleach or body oils sitting on vinyl for too long which causes it to go shiny and then crack. Something we have have all seen.

Of course with the correct care this is less likely to happen. By following manufacturers cleaning instructions you will get real longevity out of your furniture.

Placement is another issue when it comes to using PVC or Polyurethane.

Basically the rule is:

PVC for waiting areas
Polyurethane for clinical areas

PVC does well with waiting areas due to the thicker top layer and strong bond which means when upholstered the stitching will not break the seal letting moisture in. This product also does not respond well to steam cleaning so is better suited to an area that is high traffic but does not require strong cleaning.

Polyurethane on the other hand responds a lot better to steam and strong bleach which makes it perfect for clinical areas that need proper cleaning each time they are used.

By using the correct materials in the correct places you can keep your furniture looking better for longer.

Addressing Expectations

Medical Fitouts / By Clinics By Design

When you run a business you are well aware that there is a level of expectation that comes along with it.

You expect a certain standard from your staff.

Your staff expect a certain standard from you.

Your patients expect a certain standard from everyone they meet when they walk through the door.

Expectations are very important and and can be used to achieve higher than average results which in turn create a successful business.

So what are the main expectations and how can you arm yourself in order to exceed them?

Expectation #1 – Construction Expectations

Being your own project manager can be a tough gig especially when you have your own business to run at the same time which is why is it worthwhile appointing a design and construct company to help with the coordination of your works.

What this does is free you up from having to research and organise multiple sub contractors which can be a very time consuming exercise.

Expectation #2 – Patient Expectations

One of the most important things for patients waiting in a clinic is to feel comfortable. Whether they are there for a quick in and out visit or something a bit more serious comfort is key.

Ensure your seating is comfortable and accessible for all types of people, create a children’s area to keep the kids occupied while they wait and provide refresh stations with filtered water.

Something as simple as providing a current magazine (and not a ripped issue of New Idea from 1984) can make the world of difference.

Expectation #3 – Staff Expectations

Your staff, as you know, are your greatest assets and when looked after they will produce great outcomes for you and your practice.

The best way to boost morale is to provide a positive working environment. Private breakout areas, new software to make things more efficient, secure lockers and even a staff toilet away from the public shows you care about them and want them to be as comfortable as possible when they walk in the door every day.

By addressing expectations early you are taking the steps to improve productivity and mood which is imperative to creating successful business.

Love Your People

Medical Fitouts / By Clinics By Design

When you think of the most important part of your medical, dental or veterinary practice what comes to mind?

Not many business owners would say people straight away but when you think about it, they are the only key element in order to grow and improve business.

So the question is how do you keep these people around in the way of long term staff members and repeat patients?

There are three main aspects that you can incorporate into your medical fit out in order to create a comfortable and inviting environment for staff and patients.

1. Motivation

Motivation is a measurement of someones willingness to perform a task. By creating a comfortable and functional environment for your staff there is a big chance you will find they’re performance improves and with improved performance comes improved service which will also keep patients happy in the waiting room.

2. Opportunity

Opportunity is giving your staff the chance to perform a task. When staff feel as thought their particular skills are valued they will take the approach of proving they can perform this task to the best of their standards which again works in the favour of the patient.

3. Ability

Ability gives staff the capabilities of performing their jobs in the way of health and safety.

These three components can be broken down and incorporated within your fit out by making sure you pick furnishings and colours that reflect positivity and calmness, ergonomic furniture for comfort and long term health and space for change and future growth.

The design of your new medical space is not something to be ignored and all aspects need to be taken into careful consideration.

With the help of a full design and construct company such as Clinics By Design it is easy to give your employees an environment they want to walk into every morning and your patients a place they want to visit time and time again.

Contamination Concerns

Clinic / By Clinics By Design

When visiting a clinical environment the last thing you expect is to work into a place that isn’t clean.
Health and safety go hand in hand within the medical industry and your clinic should reflect this from the moment patients walk through the door.

A few things to consider when developing your new clinic are:

Separate Clean from Dirty. Design areas for dirty instruments well away from areas where clean items are kept to avoid confusion thus preventing any chance of cross contamination.

Easy Cleaning. Be sure the finishes specified for you are easy to be cleaned. This includes and joinery finishes, flooring, wall coverings and upholstery.

Don’t Slip. Be sure when selecting flooring for wet areas it is to clinical standard. Slip resistance is imperative in areas where things are being cleaned or spills may occur.

Clean Practices = A Clean Practice. Simple things such as de-cluttering, hygiene management and proper handling of hazardous materials can make a huge difference not only for your business but also for your staff and patients by creating a safe environment for everyone.

There’s someone we would like you to meet………..

Allied Services / By Clinics By Design

Welcome to our new blog!

Clinics By Design, the offspring of well established design and construct company Cooper Group Australia are here and ready to help you with all of your healthcare needs.

We are a passionate bunch and this blog will cover everything from construction news, our favourite artists to general healthcare design tips and tricks.

With weekly updates we strive to keep at the forefront of the healthcare design and construct industry and can’t wait to help you create your perfect clinic.

Clinics By Design