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Program, Design and Construct By Greg Chianis, AIA ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + +++ + +++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ HEALTHCARE ARCHITECTURE Your Office Space A LL TOO OFTEN, quality archi- tectural design processes are overlooked in the small medical office, resulting in poor staff effi- ciency, higher operating costs, and patient stress and confusion. With competition between healthcare providers on the rise and reimbursements on the decline, today's physician is forced to capitalize on every advantage. The quality and organization of the healthcare environment play an important role in the development of the patient's opinion of the level of care being provided. A professionally designed office reflects professional healthcare services. Below, I outline three steps to follow for successfully teaming with a licensed architect to program, design and construct your new or renovated office space. Conceptualize Your Program "Programming" is an architectural term used to define the parameters of the project. Will you be renovating existing space, or will you be building from the ground up? Think about your existing practice and how it functions. What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? What are the feelings of the staff? What have you or members of your staff heard from patients, positive and negative? These are critically important questions that must be asked to successfully develop your program. First, begin by looking at your practice and how it is currently run. The more you analyze your own practice or a practice in which you have worked, the better. You cannot be too critical of an office that doesn't work. Document all your findings and start mak- ing wish lists for the new facility. Each medical office can be broken down into three separate and distinct areas: clinical, staff and support. Clinical areas are those that directly affect patient care, such as exam rooms, procedure rooms, imaging suites, etc. Staff areas are typically reception spaces, physician and staff offices, break rooms, conference rooms, and the like. Support spaces include restrooms, patient education and learning spaces, corridors, mechanical and electrical rooms, clean and soiled holding, storage areas, etc. 2 0 | Central New York MD NEWS ■ M D N E W S . CO M