Medical offices are the pillars of local communities, providing space for essential local healthcare services. However, in order for these types of buildings to stand the test of time, they need to be well-constructed. Developers and contractors must follow the best practices for constructing medical office buildings to create structures that are safe, durable, and comfortable to use for both doctors as well as patients.

Building Codes For Medical Office Construction
Before designing the facilities, developers should familiarize themselves with the building codes that will apply to them. Determine how these buildings will be categorized according to local building codes and what requirements you will need to adhere to. Offices that provide services to Medicare and Medicaid patients have additional requirements to follow. These building codes provide important specifications about room sizes, structural integrity, HVAC systems, and much more. Understanding these design requirements will help you to keep your project on track.

Considering Building Flow
When designing the layout of these buildings, it is important to work with the client to make sure that both staff and patients can navigate efficiently. Ideally, the client will already have an operations plan in place detailing how patients will check in and receive the treatment. After you understand how patients and staff will use the building, you can determine where to place treatment rooms, bathrooms, private offices, and more. The building’s operations should also determine where you need to place the staircases and emergency exits.

Create Privacy For Patients
Privacy is an important concern for healthcare providers, and it should be taken into consideration when designing and building medical offices. Not only do the providers need to adhere to HIPAA regulations, but privacy is also a very important part of patient comfort. The building should be designed keeping patient comfort in mind, meaning that the treatment rooms should be appropriately soundproofed and windows should be placed strategically. Some medical buildings even have equipment with acoustic requirements to ensure that patients have enough privacy.

Incorporate Technology
Work with your clients to determine where they want to implement and what type of technology is needed throughout the office. This could be anything starting from state-of-the-art treatment or lab equipment to self-service payment technologies. Make sure the medical offices have enough space and the proper connections to support these types of technologies.

Medial building accessibility and comfort Offices Accessible and Comfortable
Medical Building Accessibility goes far beyond just adhering to ADA requirements. In addition to elevators, handrails, ramps, and other mobility aids, you will also need to make sure that patients can easily identify where they are supposed to go. For example, you may need to put maps throughout the office and post signs in multiple languages.

Comfort is another key factor to consider when designing the office. Are rooms big enough big to accompany patients of many different sizes? How much light does each room have, and is there natural light accessible? These factors determine how comfortable the offices will be for both staffs as well patients.

For more detail on building medical offices, call us today and book an appointment.