This article provides tips for creating the ideal healthcare waiting room to its fullest potential.
Every part of your healthcare facility contributes to the patient experience, from the door to the examination room. Besides the exam room, the waiting room is the other area where your patients spend most of their time. Therefore, you’ll want your healthcare waiting room design to be inviting, comfortable, and accommodating. You can also achieve all of those desires with your design choices- from the furniture to the architectural millwork. This article provides tips for creating the ideal healthcare waiting room to its fullest potential.
Comfortable Furniture & Layout
The average wait time that patients spend in waiting rooms is 20 minutes. This is ample time for a person to form a positive or negative opinion about your practice. You may use that time as an opportunity to form a positive reflection of your facility. For example, the classic waiting room design resembles a classroom with rows of chairs facing each other. But this design can be uncomfortable and boring.
An alternative healthcare waiting room design comes with coffee tables and ergonomic seating options. If your area permits, consider creating a designated area for children or a quiet section for professionals to make calls. Regarding furniture, include modern seating with neutral colors and natural materials to create a sense of comfort and calm.
Assign a Liaison to Assist Patients
You should also assign an employee to be the waiting room liaison. This will ensure that your clients and patients receive the personalized attention and care they need while waiting. Additionally, the liaison can answer any questions people may have and ensure that everyone has been properly checked in. They may also point you to minor amenities such as a mini fridge or a coffee bar with small water bottles.
Active Waiting Through Technology
As technology advances, people have become accustomed to having constant access to the Internet. With that said, consider providing a Wi-Fi connection service to visitors. As a bonus, you could give the patients iPads that are connected to the furniture in the waiting room. These iPads could be preloaded with digital magazines, games, and social media applications.
As a hospital construction contractor, Mahogany, Inc. supplied and installed the millwork for some areas in the Fort Belvoir Hospital in Virginia. View our previous projects in the healthcare industry!
Elevate Your Space with Mahogany, Inc.
Mahogany, Inc. is presented as a professional company specializing in both aesthetic enhancement and historic restoration, offering tailored solutions that might align well with your renovation needs. Reach out to Mahogany, Inc. for a consultation or more information on how they can transform your hotel space. Call 410.727.0334 for details and follow us on Facebook, X, and Pinterest.