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Clinics By Design

Time to Upgrade!

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So the time has come for an upgrade to your existing clinic, or you have made the decision to build a brand new practice. Congratulations!

This is an extremely exciting time, but before we get caught up in what colour the floors are going to be or the style of visitor chairs you want in your waiting room (which don’t get me wrong, are equally as important) you need to make sure you are getting the right general practice clinic design done by a medical professional in order to make sure that not only are you getting the perfect practice to suit you, your staff and patients, now and in the future, but a general practice clinic design that meets all current codes and standards in order to pass a final inspection.

Some important things that need to be discussed during the design process in order to ensure your clinic is going to meet all codes and standards are:

Body Protection

Simply put, body protection means that every power point in your practice is protected by a safety switch therefore protecting patients if they need to be treated with equipment that is plugged into the wall.

These safety switches are particularly sensitive to earth leakage currants, a lot more sensitive than those in a residential or office setting, therefore protecting you, your staff and your patients from any chance of an electrical shock while treatment is taking place.

The main thing to take from this is not all existing tenancies are body protected, especially older buildings or buildings that were previously used for a purpose other than medical. This is something that needs to be checked when moving into or purchasing a tenancy and needs to be upgraded when any electrical works take place.

DDA compliance

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) states:

‘Where a physical feature (for example, one arising from the design or construction of a building or the approach or access to premises) makes it impossible or unreasonably difficult for disabled persons to make use of such a service, it is the duty of the provider of that service to take such steps as it is reasonable, in all the circumstances of the case, for him to have to take in order to :- Remove the feature, Alter it so that is no longer has that effect, Provide a reasonable means of avoiding the feature; or, Provide reasonable alternative method of making the service in question available to disabled persons’

Essentially everything needs to be accessible to every disabled patient, visitor or staff member visiting your practice. This is why it is extremely important that you appoint a Fitout company or builder that has the relevant medical experience when going ahead with your general practice clinic design.

There are many things that need to be thought out when designing your floor plan, from the amount of amenities required to the size of the rooms, in order to comply with DDA standards. All of these things need to be taken into consideration and designed correctly from the beginning to reduce the risk of expensive changes occurring once construction or refurbishment has commenced.

Social distancing

2020 has brought the new (and unwanted) craze of social distancing. Now whenever we visit the dentist, doctor or even supermarket we are required to stand 1.5m apart from the people around us and hand sanitisation is no longer an option.

We don’t know how long this virus is going to be an issue for so it is important that social distancing is part of your new general practice clinic design.

Whether you want to set something up temporarily, such as sneeze guards at reception that can be removed without too much disruption to joinery, or you are looking for something a little more permanent in order to reduce the risk of viruses spreading within your practice in the future it is important to make the time to go through all the available options to find what will be right for you, your staff and your patients.

These are only a few things that need to be taken into consideration when envisaging a new general practice clinic design and as you can see it is of the upmost importance to make sure you are dealing with a construction and/or Fitout company who have the experience and knowledge that goes with creating a modern, functional and up to code medical facility.

What to Know in Medical Clinic Construction

Medical Fitouts / By

There are many things that need to be taken into consideration when heading into the world of medical clinic construction, but understanding the processes that you will need to go through in order to get off the ground is of the upmost importance. 

 

Before you can even start thinking about design and how you want your clinic to look and function you need to make sure the land you are looking to obtain is within the correct zoning for medical.

 

Once this has been confirmed and you have secured the land the next step is to be prepared for a bit of a wait while everything goes through council. 

 

There will be a period of time in which local residents can voice their opinion about your new medical clinic construction which can be a whole process in itself.

 

Be prepared for residents to give good feedback as well as bad and understand that this is something everyone has to go through. There may be certain things that have to be compromised in order to keep the neighbours (or council) happy and again this is a completely normal part of the process. 

 

In order to get everything through council, ticked off and approved can take a number of months to finalise so it is also important to be patient and do your best to grasp a basic understanding of everything your builder is doing in order to get the ball rolling. Although things may seem like they are standing still from your end we can assure you the work going on behind the scenes in order to get your medical clinic construction off the ground is huge. 

 

It is not uncommon for clients to think their clinic will be ready to open within 3 months or so of engaging a builder but this just is not the case. We like to be completely transparent when it comes to timelines in order to avoid any disappointment. We know how exciting it is to open a new practice and believe me we are just as eager to start your new medical clinic construction as you are. 

 

So what can we do in order to make sure the process runs as smoothly as possible? 

  • Make sure the builder you appoint is experienced with medical construction as this is very different to building a commercial office or residential property. In order to keep things moving forward with council a complete understanding of a medical clinic construction is key. 
  • Hold regular meetings in order to finalise plans and discuss any alternative options should something in the design not work. There is nothing wrong with having a plan B in place and being prepared is one of the best things you can do when going through this process. 
  • Keep an open mind. This is very important. As we spoke about earlier factors such as neighbours and council guidelines can have an impact on design constraints so it is a good idea to become as familiar as possible with things that may or may not work depending on any objections.  

By working closely with your builder, and becoming somewhat familiar with the guidelines that need to be adhered to, you are giving yourself the best chance at getting your plans approved and the ball rolling on your new medical clinic construction as soon as possible.  

Medical Office - Clinics By Design

Creating Your Perfect Medical Office

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When it comes to medical office design there are a few things that need to be taken into consideration.

First and foremost you need to make sure you are heading in the right direction when it comes to regulations, suitability and convenience.

Location. This is one of the fist things that need to be considered for any new medical practice. One very important thing to make sure of before getting your heart set on one particular site is whether it is zoned for medical and is in fact suitable for you.

Research the area, not only do you want to make sure you aren’t setting up next door to an established competitor but you also need to take some other things into consideration like parking, is there on site parking available or suitable parking close by? If not is there adequate public transport for easy patient access?

Budget. This is another important aspect that can affect your overall medical office design.

A wish list is the perfect way to establish what you want and which items can be removed should the budget not allow for them. Write down everything your perfect practice would include.

Bear in mind that needs and wants are very different things. Think about which items are absolutely necessary i.e. certain medical equipment, joinery, services (plumbing, electrical, mechanical) etc and then make a list of the items that you could potentially go without, even if it is just for the short term while you get yourself established, like a certain brand of waiting chair, artwork or feature lighting  that can be installed at a later date.

Research. When it comes to good medical office design research is imperative. Make sure you are talking to the right fit out company for you, someone that knows everything that needs to be taken into consideration in order to pass the required legal standards and current codes.

It’s one thing to have a beautifully designed medical office but its another to have a beautifully designed medical office that is also  functional to DDA requirements. From the space that needs to be available behind doors, to amenities requirements it is imperative you are across all aspects of DDA compliance before deciding on the final floor plan/ design of your new medical practice.

Comfort. One thing we know when it comes to medical office design is that comfort is key. Medical environments are not always the most enjoyable places to visit and a trip to the doctor or dentist can come along with its own sense of anxiety. By making your medical office comfortable you are showing your patients you care. Small additions to your waiting areas such as seperate children’s areas, phone/ laptop charging stations and up to date reading material (I don’t know about you but the September 1984 issue of Vogue doesn’t bring much interest, and how many people have touched this magazine??) show a sense of understanding and can help put your patients at ease.

The small details can make all the difference when it comes to professional medical office design. Thats where our specialists can help in order to bring your perfect practice to life.

Waiting Room - Clinics By Design

An Easy Guide to Improving Your Clinic Waiting Room

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Waiting Room - Clinics By Design

As the owner of a busy practice it can sometimes be easy to forget about certain areas of your clinic when these spots are not places you directly work in yourself every day.

 

When it comes to refurbishing your existing clinic or building a new practice your clinic waiting room and reception are just as important as the areas in which consulting and treatments take place. 

 

A good place to start when designing these areas is by asking your staff what it is that would make their job easier.

Layout and accessibility can play a huge role in the productivity of staff and something as simple as having a space for the reception printer within arms reach instead of in a spot where you have to get up and walk across the room could make all the difference. 

 

There are an abundance of options when it comes to designing the perfect clinic waiting room. From colour selection that will give your clinic the right feel to furniture that will suit your patients best there are certain things that should always be taken into consideration:

Clear Signage –

There is nothing worse than walking into a busy clinic and not knowing where to go. Make sure you have clear signage displayed showing the way to the reception area, clinic waiting room and any amenities you may have available. This signage can then continue throughout your clinic with way finders giving patients the ease of finding the correct room quickly and without any confusion. 

DDA Accessibility –

It is imperative (and a requirement) that your clinic is DDA compliant. Ensure you have made considerations for the disabled throughout your clinic in the way of disabled and/or ambulant amenities where required and the correct layouts within consulting rooms,  treatment rooms and your clinic waiting room. It is extremely important that you cover all the DDA requirements in order to comply and this is why it is best to speak with a medical fit out specialist when designing your new clinic

Comfort –

It is important to make sure you are making any patients that may have lengthy waits ahead of them as comfortable as possible. One simple thing that can make a big difference is the availability of phone or laptop charging stations within your clinic waiting room, this way if they need to do any work or just want to use their phone while waiting they can.

 

Another easy way to create a comfortable environment is with the installation of a refresh station. This small area consists of a filtered water tap, bin and cup dispenser that can be mounted on the wall so these sets ups don’t take up much room at all.

Seating –

Seating is more important than you think. It is important that you are taking into consideration all different body shapes and peoples age when specifying chairs for your clinic waiting room.

 

There are an abundance of beautiful waiting chairs on the market but do they suit your patient’s needs? By alternating your comfortable padded chairs between having arms and no arms you are ensuring everyone will be comfortable and the elderly or people who need some extra help have an option of arms when they need some additional leverage on standing up.

 

The leg system you choose, depending on what kind of medical facility you are running, can also be extremely important. In a setting where patients are more likely to get upset you are better off selecting a chair with a sled base other than a 4-leg style as these can unfortunately become a danger if picked up and used in the wrong way.

 

Now, it isn’t only the patients you need to think about when selecting seating. Your staff members will also need comfortable ergonomic chairs in order to make them as comfortable as possible while they work in a position that is mostly seated for the duration of their day.

Hygiene –

With COVID-19 at the front of our minds this year we are all on high alert when it comes to hygiene. In order to keep your staff and patients as safe as you can in such an uncertain time it is extremely important that you provide the right tools in order to keep your practice as Covid safe as possible.

 

Of course the required supply of hand soap and sanitiser needs to come into play but the supply of masks for patients could also be a good gesture.

When it comes to keeping the staff on your reception safe the temporary installation of a sneeze guard can make a big difference, these are easily installed and can be removed just as easily when they are no longer required. Right now it is about putting minds at ease and helping people feel comfortable within a medical environment.

 

Of course these are only a few ideas and it really does pay to sit down with a healthcare professional in order to guide you through the regulations.

We Are Open!

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With all the confusion surrounding the new Stage 4 restrictions within construction in metropolitan Melbourne we would like to reassure you that Clinics by Design are still open.

 

Although it is not completely business as usual and we will be working at a much slower pace on our building sites for the 6 week duration, in order to stay within the government guidelines, we are still available to have a chat about any upcoming works you may have in mind and our estimation team are on hand for quoting.

 

We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Is Carpet Bad for You?

Veterinary Fitouts / By

One question that comes up from time to time with new clients is whether carpet can be a trigger for allergies and asthma and therefore a health risk?

 

We can see why this would be something that needs to be taken into consideration and in a way it makes sense to think that carpets could be the cause, but in actual fact it is the opposite.

 

Unlike hard, flat flooring where dust particles are easily disturbed through something as little as a breeze through an open window or someone walking past, carpet fibres are actually able to trap these particles and with the proper maintenance and cleaning will reduce the amount of airborne allergens significantly.

 

Carpet is also low VOC (Volatile organic compounds – organic chemicals that have a high vapour pressure at ordinary room temperature) due to the process of being passed through a finishing oven. This process removes most solvents and volatile chemicals leaving the end product with a low VOC content.

Business As Usual

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During these uncertain and somewhat scary times the team at Clinics By Design would like to take the opportunity to reach out and let our loyal clients, current and potential, know that for us it is still business as usual.

 

We are taking the Covid-19 situation very seriously and have implemented new procedures on all our sites in order to keep our staff and sub-contractors safe.

 

Staff who are able to work remotely are and we are keeping the amount of staff in our office to a minimum, thus insuring our daily tasks can run as normal.

 

All meetings will now be conducted through Zoom or phone conference so rest assured we are still here for you should you like to discuss any upcoming works.

 

We would like to wish everyone all the best in the coming weeks, we are all in this together!

When Moving is not an Option

Veterinary Fitouts / By

We understand that moving isn’t always an option. Sometimes you may have to be a certain distance from other specialists working in your field maybe you just can’t find the right tenancy in a better location or it just comes down to cost.

 

So if this is the case don’t give up on your dream to have a new clinic. The team at Clinics by Design can still help you turn your existing clinic into the new space you, your staff and patients will love.

 

We are experts in working with existing spaces and troubleshooting tricky areas that have the potential for a new and better use.

 

Contact one of our team members today to discuss your medical/ dental or veterinary clinic upgrade needs.

A New Face for Timber

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This timber terrazzo is absolutely stunning wouldn’t you agree?

See the full article here……..

Article by Yellowtrace

Timber ‘Terrazzo’ Made from Recycled Materials by Foresso.

Everybody Needs a Role Model

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Good customer service is key in any business but especially within a medical environment in which the captive audience can be a little more anxious than they normally would be.

 

You have worked so hard to build your practice up to what it is today so in a way it is your responsibility to make sure the staff you choose to have work for you understand your values and morals therefore becoming almost your ambassador for excellent customer service.

So what can you do to encourage others to care about your practice as much as you do?

Care about them!

Treat people the way you want to be treated. It’s no secret that if you treat people with respect that respect will be reciprocated and when we all respect each other, ta-da! Happy workplace.

 

Now I’m not saying its going to be sunshine and lollipops all day every day but if you make a conscious effort to treat your staff well they are much more likely to want to work harder for you.

Communicate

It is so important to make sure you aren’t spending your days barking brief orders over someones desk and expecting them to deliver exactly what you want. Be clear in your expectations and give reasons for everything you want done so everyone is on the same page and working towards the same goal.

Set up team meetings.

Give your staff the time of day and make them feel heard when they want to voice their options. These can be short and sharp, so as to not tie anyone up unnecessarily, but you would be surprised at how effective even half an hour can be.

 

These meetings are also a great platform to give feedback to your staff members. If there are any issues within the practice now is the time to address them in order to give everyone the opportunity to bring their ideas to the table on how things could be improved.

Be positive.

There is a fine line between constructive criticism and feeling like you are being ganged up on. Make sure these ‘feedback sessions’ don’t turn into a witch hunt. It is up to you to seperate the issues that are worth being brought up in a team environment and those that are better handled on a one to one basis. Your staff care about how to make the filing system more efficient, not that Jackie is forever putting an empty milk carton back in the fridge.

Trust.

Give staff members jobs that show you trust them. You never know who is going to excel at something until they are given a shot!

 

It’s up to you to make a positive impact on your staff and the form the culture of your practice. Everyone needs a role model, even adults!