The truth is, the exam room is probably the most important place in your entire health care facility. This is where you want your patients to be able to relax and feel comfortable at a time when they might feel vulnerable or nervous.

When you start to think about exam room installation, take into account the environment you want to create for your patients. There is undoubtedly a sensitive balance between practicality and comfort when you consider exam room design. While you want it to be comfortable for your patients, health care professionals should be able to easily maneuver the rooms. Here are some factors to mull over when planning for your exam rooms:

1. Select an exam room layout that is both private and practical.

2. Equip your exam room with comfortable furniture.

3. Don't forget to factor storage space into your exam room design.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose an exam room layout that is appealing to your patients and useful to you and your staff

The layout is key in exam room construction. Think about size, placement and comfort. For efficiency, more sounds better, but will each room be functional? Quality in this case definitely trumps quantity.

I recommend: Businesses such as Bernstein & Associates, Architects, and Baskervill, specialize in the designing and planning of health care facilities. They can guide you through the process of designing and adapting your facility to best fit the needs of both you and your patients.

Furnish your exam rooms with comfortable fixtures

If you are on a budget, the exam table is where you want to put your money. In most cases, your patients will spend the majority of their time with you on the table. Think about making the people who may be accompanying them comfortable as well.

I recommend: DRE offers several different styles of tables depending on what you will be using them for. Med Electronics also has a wide variety of tables to browse through. They are broken down into subcategories to help you narrow your search. Miami Medical offers everything else you will need, from side chairs to lighting.

Make room for plenty of cabinet space in your exam room

Storage is one thing you can't skimp on when it comes to exam rooms. It is important that each room have space for all necessary supplies to avoid interruptions during examinations. When selecting cabinet size, consider what you actually plan on filling the cabinets with. For example, keep in mind the height and width of products that will actually reside in those cabinets. This will likely result in less constant exam room management.

I recommend: Depending on what you are looking for, Paragon Medical offers different designs to custom fit into your ideal exam room. Booth Medical Equipment also has options to choose from once you decide on the best layout for your exam rooms.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  It may seem simple, but consider choosing a color scheme during your efforts to try and create exam room tranquility. You thought about the color of your living room and kitchen, why not put some thought into the color of your exam room?