The Exam Room, while often the smallest individual room in the hospital, is the single largest income generator as well. It is also the room clients get to know most, and the space in which the lasting doctor/client relationship is developed. How can we possibly pay too much attention to this critical room? Designers often labour over design of the Reception, Waiting and Treatment rooms (as we should) but forget to give this critical hospital space its just due.

The initial risk of the designer is to determine the number of exam rooms the practice requires. Expansion of this element must also be considered immediately because this is usually the first area to expand with additional growth. Depending on the practice type, the hospital will require between 1.5 - 3 exam rooms per FTE on-call Veterinarian. Practice focus, delivery philosophy, medical specialties, and management practices like technician leveraging, will all contribute to determining exactly where your practice falls, for a rule of thumb application.

Access and Orientation

How clients, receptionist, technicians and doctors access the exam room, which rooms require immediate adjacency, and how the exam rooms are grouped form the next major step in exam room decision making. Single or two-door access, direct waiting room access, pharmacy/lab access, treatment room adjacency, and separate staff client hallways must all be considered. Grouping rooms in pod arrangements for business and practice image consideration must also be addressed at this point.

The Tasks

Numerous tasks are either accommodated within the exam room or referred to another area for completion. Each task decision will have space and layout implications in your design. The major tasks to be performed include:

·         Meeting/Greeting

·         Waiting

·         Image Forming

·         Examination

·         Consultation

·         Recording/Record Keeping

·         Education/Display

·         Sanitation/Disposal

·         Treatment/Prescription

·         Transaction

The Size

While there are exceptions, your Practice-specific requirements must be considered. Typical exam rooms range from 8' x 8' to 10' x 15'. General Purpose production rooms average 10' x 10' and almost every hospital contains one oversize room for family, multiple pets, or consultation/procedure use. Delivery protocols will influence room size. Some practices have up to three staff in an exam room simultaneously - Veterinarian, Technician and Assistant. Clients rarely come alone, so accommodating 5-6 bodies is not unforeseeable.

Special Purpose Rooms

In addition to the family room, the incorporation off one or more special needs rooms must be considered for specific practice needs.

·         Comfort/Grieving Room

·         Emergency Services

·         Isolation Exam

·         Discharge Room

·         Pre-boarding Exam

·         Special Procedure Exam

These rooms may feature separate exterior entry/exit, unique furnishings, special equipment, and unique decor.

Layout and Equipment

Your practice size, type and organisation will often dictate the mix of room types, standard room design (if any) and grouping of rooms used. Among the myriad of considerations for incorporation and design of the exam rooms are:

·         Exam table type

·         Sink

·         Counter type/configuration/surface

·         Storage cabinets - base and wall

·         Storage shelves, closets

·         Seating - client, doctor

·         Writing/charting area

·         Computer integration

·         Film viewer

·         Telephone

·         Otoscope, diagnostic equipment

·         Trash, sharps disposal

Finishes / Decor

Your clients' perception of you practice will be affected in the entire sequence of events of the exam room experience. Waiting, technician preliminaries, doctor consultations, exam delivery, and discharge duties will expose them to the effectiveness of your selected design. The environmental influences of colour, light, layout, comfort features, ventilation and cleanliness will affect their perceptions. Are seats provided, are they comfortable, are colours soothing or overwhelming, is the decor overbearing, sterile, cold or warm and inviting? Is the room quiet or can you hear the examination next door or the dog in the ward? Is lighting adequate, is there a window, and is an examination light provided for the doctor to clearly provide diagnosis? Are the wall surfaces durable yet warm and comfortable? Is there an exhaust fan or window to open? From floor to ceiling, from doorknob to light fixtures, all the pieces and parts of the examination room will have a profound effect on clients' perception of your practice, their comfort and their continued confidence in you. In addition, you and your staff will enjoy a well designed room every day of your working life!

Kennel Solutions offer a wide range of quality veterinary euipment, for more information just click on the following link: http://www.therian.com.au/about/vssi_overview.html

Source: Wayne Usiak Hospital Design Conference 2009