Similar to California's well known fast food restaurant IN-N-OUT, the idea for efficiency in hospitals and clinics is to get patients in the door, through the system, and out the door as efficiently as possible. This is known as the medical term: Throughput. It is really important to take into account efficiency when designing clinics. Time is money.
As Lena and I are designing a health campus with a concept based on a network of clinics spread throughout the Lawndale community, it is key for us to design with efficiency. I found some research done by Medical Economics on 5 ways to improve patient flow.
1. Clearly define patient destinations
-using signage/wayfinding
-clearly defining where the check-in and check-out is
-separation of spaces based on services
2. Avoid bottlenecks
-strategically use exam rooms
3. Plan for logical traffic patterns
-sequentially move a patient through their visit without crossing paths or going back in steps
4. Consider internal traffic flow
-provide "touch-down" stations for providers
-consider hand-off areas between specialty areas
-smooth transition of medical supplies from one area to another
5. Parking
-affects the patient and revenue
-designated & accessible drop-off areas
All of these play into a good design of a health clinic. Looking back at our last visit at the Heartland Health Center at Devon, we can see a lot of these points were addressed within the design of their facility.
We can think about questions to ask next time and look for these kinds of areas where they are addressing efficiency.
-Where do I register?
-Where do I pay?
-Is there privacy?
-Where do I wait?
-Where do patients with behavioral health matters wait/enter?
-What are your traffic patterns for patients and for providers?
It is important to continue to ask these questions as we visit these clinics to see how they all vary on each of these points and from what angles they tackle efficiency.
Sources: Medical Economics
Images: IN-N-OUT BURGER
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