Medical & Dental Office Planning, Design and Construction

The search for the ideal medical or dental office causes frustration for most doctors.  Somehow, there is a myth that a miraculous, perfect plan exists somewhere out there if one simply asks enough experts.  Generally, this fictional design includes solutions to all problems in the office, including staff morale and patient attitude, and the price is amazingly affordable, of course.   Many doctors feel that they will find this nirvana if they simply look hard enough.

In truth, there is no perfect design that fits all practitioners.  Every doctor is an individual with a unique personal practice style which must be considered in the design and construction of an office.  Many of our firm’s clients are amazing to find that their offices are developed to fit them – not some abstract concept.

Give yourself some credit for knowing what you like and what works for your medical practice style.  You can learn interesting design tips in seminars, but you are the expert on your own practice.  The trick is translating what you know into plans and specifications that can accomplish your goals.  Good professional medical office designers and architects are trained to take you through this process, but you must be prepared for some self-examination.

One of the first considerations in the planning of a medical office layout is the organization of zones, or functional areas.   This involves identifying the main functions of the clinic, such as (1) clinical areas (lab, sterilization, exam rooms, procedure rooms, imaging areas), (2) private staff areas (staff rest rooms, private offices, dressing areas and lockers, break rooms, etc.), (3) public or patient areas (waiting room, reception, public rest rooms), and (4) business and finance office areas.  There may be other specialized functional areas, depending on the practice size and specialty.  Each of these functional zones may require additional support areas such as storage, mechanical, etc.

These zones and spaces are then arranged according to carefully considered traffic patterns.  Normally, the plan should accommodate efficient movements for the doctor through the clinical areas with easy access to the private staff zone.  The pattern for staff movement should also be planned for economy of motion.  The traffic pattern for patients should allow easy progress from the reception area, through treatment and back to check-out in a smooth, logical flow with as little retracing of steps as is possible.

These general design principles, when tailored to each practice and location, form the basis for an individualized dream medical office design.