In addition to providing valuable services to your patients, it is important to provide a comfortable facility to accommodate their needs. A lovely, spacious reception area offers a warm welcome, but there is more you can do for your patients’ safety and well-being.
Install Adequate Lighting
Well-lit areas help to ensure safe movement from one part of the building to another. Entryways, reception areas, waiting rooms, and other places should offer adequate lighting, whether natural or artificial, to guard against missteps and tripping or falling. Dim wattage bulbs should be replaced with enough light for each part of the building.
Keep Up with HVAC Maintenance
Your patients want to be comfortably warm or cool while on the premises, depending on the weather and room temperature. Have your furnace and air conditioning repairs at the ready before the start of each season to keep the indoors the right temperature for basic comfort. Routine maintenance may help to prevent problems from occurring suddenly during the heating or cooling season, thus ensuring your patients stay comfortable year-round. A clean HVAC system promotes fresher air to breathe, as well.
Keep the Building Clean
Dust and germy surfaces can literally make a person sick. Children with runny noses or adults who don’t cover their coughs rapidly spread viruses around the facility. Debris like stacked books or piles of folders can tip over, creating a tripping hazard. Overflowing trash cans may leak foul odors. Maintain a clean, hygienic building to protect people’s health. Stock up on antibacterial wipes or even paper towels to clear up drips or stains before they cause potential problems.
Provide Comfortable Seating and Accommodations
Consider your patients’ seating needs by choosing cozy furniture. Ergonomic chairs that are not too low or too high are important. A reception area with a spacious seating arrangement offers room for walking aids like wheelchairs, canes, or walkers. Side tables for handbags or paperwork to be filled out are also useful. A coat rack allows people to hang up their outerwear and become more comfortable with the indoor temperature. Many waiting areas provide restrooms that should be kept clean and neat.
A welcoming, clean, and well-organized facility encourages patients to visit, knowing their seating and movement needs will be met. Take a look around your building to find areas that could be made cleaner or more efficient for your patients with a little extra effort.