The Basic Elements of Healthcare Design & Fit-Out

You need to consider many key elements when creating a new healthcare facility for your practice. Traditionally, consulting rooms were expected to be clean and clinical. Having worked with medical professionals, we have come to realize that they are currently searching for a fit-out https://www.chestconstructions.com.au/ solution that displays the perfect balance of functionality, practicality, space flow, and interior design.

The construction and design of your medical practice not only impact how healthcare professionals along with their team operate in the environment but also the experience the space provides for patients that attend the practice.  First impressions and experience are equally important when it comes to healthcare as with any other industry fit-out.

Traditionally, medical spaces would take on a more stark and clinical appearance, giving patients associations with hospitals, the smell of antiseptic, and fluorescent lighting. With the evolution of healthcare so has the focus changed to consider the full experience from the functional and practical to the user experience that can be subtly altered through the layout and design.

Due to a medical facility’s nature, chances are some patients will likely find attending a doctor an unpleasant and stressful experience. Being able to put patients at ease and make them feel comfortable is the secret to attracting and retaining patients. You can create an important initial impression with a warm and welcoming reception.

The fundamentals that include providing comfortable seating, using calming colors, and using distractions such as a television on the wall or even a play area for children might seem irrelevant, but they have the potential to make a significant difference to those patients that find the situation worrying.

Integrating elements of the natural world into your clinic’s design can help patients relax and will make the space feel more open. Referred to as ‘Biophilic design’, it essentially means ‘bringing the outside indoors.’

Greenery isn’t exclusively aesthetic since having more plants in the interior design can help increase levels of oxygen in the space which in itself helps anxious patients relax naturally. You can try maximizing the natural light, depending on the property, because increased daylight exposure helps in reducing the levels of bacteria found in dead human skin cells as well as dust.

When it comes to individual consulting rooms, important factors that you should consider are providing a decent level of privacy and soundproofing to block out outside noise and avoid excessive distraction. A comfortable temperature, calming color scheme, and softer lighting than the traditional stark lighting of clinics can ensure that patients feel at ease.

The use of smart technology is more important than ever. If you allow patients to sign in using a digital check-in kiosk you can minimize their exposure to interacting with others, which is particularly important if they are older or more vulnerable to viruses. Furthermore, technology can streamline the patient process and negate the need for a massive check-in reception desk.

As is the case with all types of fit-out regardless of the industry, healthcare professionals can greatly benefit from early engagement with contractors that ensures collaboration between the design team, client, and fit-out contractor to make sure that the ‘buildability’ aspect of the project actually aligns with the proposed design.