From decor to staff attire, always focus on the patient experience

Whether your practice has been around for a decade--or even longer--or you’re in start-up mode, it’s important to think about the patient experience you want to create. From the color of your walls, to patient flow, to noise level, there’s a great deal to consider.

Bold or understated are two different approaches when it comes to the tone and temperament you want to create at your office, writes Sue Jacques, a Calgary, Alberta-based medical and corporate professionalism consultant, in Diagnostic Imaging.

As with any business, you need to focus on your customers, so the colors and decor you choose will depend greatly on the patients you serve. For example, vibrant colors can be a great fit for a pediatric practice, whereas muted tones can be more appropriate for an oncology office.

Displaying works of art can help reduce patient stress and boost satisfaction, as previously reported by FierceHealthcare. For example, the Sidney & Lois Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis invested $1.5 million in donated funds to commission 19 artists to create original works when it opened a new facility.

Also, keep in mind the energy level you’re trying to create, Jacques writes. Two ways to influence the vibe of your practice are the choice to stream or not stream music and to introduce privacy screens in the reception area.

But there’s also something to be said for the attire of your team members. Maybe you want all clinical and administrative staff to wear scrubs--or perhaps you’d prefer suits or business casual attire. What’s important is to discuss attire with team members, so that everyone’s onboard with your dress code, according to the article. For instance, Geisinger Medical Center decided it will no longer allow its nurses to wear casual clothing to work after a patient survey revealed a decline in the professional appearance of its nursing staff