Clinic Location, Layout & Design

Dr. Patrick Bodnar© 2005 by Patrick Bodnar and Parker College of Chiropractic. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized use, reproduction or dissemination of this information may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.

Location Analysis

1. Patient Sources

2. Financial Resources

3. Patient Behavioristics

4. Competition Analysis

1. Patient Sources

• Can the type of patients you want be found in this location?

• How many sources of your kind of patient does this location have?

• Can you develop ways to connect with these sources?

2. Financial Resources

• What are the resources for healthcare money?– Compare ave household income to

ave household expenditures. How much money is left?

– What type of insurance does your potential patient have?

– If interested or necessary, how difficult is it to join networks?

3. Patient Behavioristics

• What are the travel patterns of your patient population?

• What hours are your population available for service?

• How much time does your patient population have for a visit?

• Where does your patient go throughout their day, week, month?

4. Competition analysis

• What other entities are contending for your type of patient?

• Always try to develop networking possibilities rather than competing scenarios.

Chiro’s MD’sorthos, physistrist, neuro…

PT’s Nutritionists

Fitness Centers Massage Therapists

Integrated Centers Etc.

Things to Consider

• Accessibility• Parking• Signage/Exposure• Versatility of space• Build out• Restrictions on

space

• Term• Maintenance fees• Image• Traffic patterns• Surrounding

environment

Lease Negotiation

• Important to You:– Low sq/ft and maintenance price

– Landlord pay build out

– Step up schedule for initial monthly payments

– Restrictions on space

– Restrictions on neighbors space

– Minimal deposits

Lease Negotiation

• Important to Landlord:– Longer term on contract

– Build out is easily transferable

– Security deposit with first and last months rent

– Type of patron you attract

Size Does Matter• Sometimes smaller is better than

bigger• Average size seems to be 1,000-

2,000 sq/ft• However, you need to make sure

that your available space will:– Accommodate your services– Foster productivity– Create efficiency– Fulfill future development

Components of aChiropractic Clinic

• Entrance• Reception Area• Front Desk• Patient Support Area• Treatment

Areas/Rooms

• Consultation/Exam Rooms

• Report Room/Office• X-ray Room• Bathroom• Storage

Entrance• Located in close proximity to front

desk?

• When possible, front window should include list of services, types of patients/cases seen, web address, and phone number

• If there is foot traffic and landlord permits, build and information center

Entrance• Make sure signage is neat and

matches and contributes to the overall image

• Entrance should be inviting and professional

Reception Area• A reception area is not a waiting

room

• It is the area between the entrance and the front desk

• Should be warm and inviting

• Should have enough space to allow a CA to walk up and greet NP’s

Reception Area• Waiting rooms are generally not a

good idea– Your procedure should allow for on-

time scheduling– Waiting rooms can be expensive once

build out, and furnishings are added– You do not want to pay for people to

wait

Front Desk• Needs to be approachable with easy

in/out access• Should include information displays for

CA to educate and distribute• Need to be able traffic in and out at

same time• A well-designed front desk is usually

worth the investment• Should be able to see the entrance,

reception area and treatment area

Patient Support Area• Area that provides equipment,

supplies, and nutrition that supports a patient’s treatment plan

• Needs to be located in close proximity to front desk

• If only provide small inventory, can incorporate into the front desk area

Treatment Areas/Rooms• An open treatment area that

incorporates all services is the most affordable option, can increase efficiency, and promote a sense of comradery among patients

• If separate treatment rooms are desired, the prep room layout may be an appropriate substitution

Treatment Areas/Rooms

Open Treatment

Room

Separate Treatment

RoomsBuild Out Dollars Less Expensive More Expensive

Privacy Limited Maximal

Integrated usability

Maximal Limited

Efficiency Maximal Limited

Consultation/Exam Room• Some use a separate room for

consultation and exam• Using the same room for

consultation and exam can save time and money

• As compared to the other rooms of the clinic, this room is often the smallest

• However the décor should promote comfort and healing

Report Room/Office• Reports usually given in Dr’s. office

• A separate area, such as a corner, can be created for reports

• Organize with charts, models, view box, and other necessary tools

• Make sure office is neat, organized, and professional

X-ray Room• Including x-ray service is a

business decision– Need to consider cost and financing,

sq/ft price for floor space, dark room expense, average fee for using equipment and how often equipment will be used

X-ray Room• Usually located near rear of office space

b/c most water lines located there• Consult with x-ray installation company

before doing clinic layout to minimize installation, electrical, plumbing, and shielding costs– These costs fluctuate according to

room size, distance from main plumbing line, distance from electric source, etc.

X-ray Room• Walls typically have different

shielding requirements– Medical health or radiation

physicists or an experience and qualified installer can help save money by calculating lead requirements

– The size of the room affects shielding requirements and cost

X-ray Room• The size of an x-ray room is a catch 22

– Smaller size saves money on monthly price per sq/ft

– Larger size saves money on shielding– Need to calculate the options and

base room size on better financial choice

– If have extra room, use the square footage for service such as extra exam space.

X-ray Room• The dark room size needs to meet

the minimal requirements for one adult to stand within arms length of the film bin, processor, water source, chemical storage, and work space to open and load cassettes