Office optimization

Patients often dread the waiting room, and we can probably all remember dreary examples. But this means there is an opportunity to stand out by making this space inviting, comfortable, and pleasant. Patients may spend more time here than they do in the exam room, so it is important to pay attention to even the smallest details that can make a patient’s experience positive from the start of the visit. Check out the three ways you can turn this space from lowlight to highlight!

Pay attention to furniture, function, and flow

Choosing and arranging the furniture for this space is key to ensuring efficiency and safety. Keep the following in mind to achieve both:

• Comfort – Seating should be comfortable because patients will be spending some time here.

• Age, stature, and mobility of patients – Ensure you accommodate everyone.

• Upholstery – Focus on fabrics that can be cleaned and sanitized easily and are resistant to common stains and accidents.

• Social distancing – Minimize the spread of infectious diseases by arranging furniture to maintain appropriate distance.

• Patient flow – Define where your patients will enter and exit, ensuring that foot traffic can flow freely around the waiting area. Eliminate bottlenecks and ensure patients are not unduly exposed to one another.

In fact, if you strike the balance of décor and distance, you can make the waiting time part of “care” time. A calm and comfortable environment can help soothe the anxiety of patients and better prepare them for the exam room. You can also purchase office supplies and furniture at a discount through the Academy’s member buying program.

Make it a marketing and communication hub

Since patients are already spending time in this space, use it to market your practice, communicate your policies, and educate them while they wait.

• Display safety protocols, patient expectations, wait time, etc. where appropriate.

• Use TVs to play educational videos so patients can learn more about your practice and about dermatology.

• Offer free Wi-Fi and electrical outlets since patients will often work from the waiting room or want to browse the internet. Be sure the network patients access does not contain protected health information.

• Display any special offers your practice is currently running for the month in a prominent area and ask for patient feedback via social media reviews to continually market your practice.

The idea here is to make waiting an “active” time that engages patients. Providing them with informative but engaging diversions will distract them from the wait. If you can win them with simple comforts and inexpensive extras to encourage a positive experience, why not?

Set the tone for safety

From the time a patient enters the practice, they should know that safety is essential. To set that tone, set the space up with safety front and center.

• Have clear, visible signage in prominent locations to outline your practice’s safety protocols.

• Put social distance markers on the floor to guide patients through the process.

• Install self-check-in kiosks or use tablets to minimize person-to-person interaction.

• Provide multiple, touch-free hand sanitizers.

• Put glass shields up in front of the reception area.

• Offer free face masks, if needed.

It doesn’t take much to transform the waiting room from a lifeless space into a lively, engaging area. Your waiting room can serve multiple purposes, enhance your practice’s appeal, and contribute to a better overall patient experience!

Use our online form to contact practice management staff for questions or concerns.