How Veterinary Clinics can distinguish themselves through Design

Renovating or building a new veterinary clinic requires detailed space planning with many design considerations, both aesthetic and technical. Such a project is a big investment for most clinic owners and many important decisions need to be made along the way in order to achieve a rewarding project that will maximize the lifespan of the building and the success of the practice. Just like most industries, the business of veterinary medicine is evolving which is also affecting the way animal clinics are planned and operated. It is often becoming harder for smaller veterinary clinics to attract talented staff, stay competitive and retain a loyal client base.

We recently spoke with Stephen Villa, a Territory Portfolio Manager at Midmark Corporation (Animal Health), one of the largest suppliers of animal health equipment and technologies, about how veterinary clinics can create an optimal care environment and stand out from their competition through thoughtful planning and design. Midmark helps veterinary care teams deliver exceptional animal health care through better equipment, smarter workflows, clinical education and integrated technologies. We were curious to get Stephen’s perspective on what clinics can do better when it comes to planning their spaces and establish a brand identity, as well as how the Midmark teams work with architects throughout a project.

In what ways is it important for small veterinary practices to stand out from their competition? Has this changed over time?

 If you are a small veterinary practice, competing with other small practices is often less concerning than creating a care environment that helps you attract and retain talented staff, and support delivering the highest quality of care.

While it’s always important to differentiate in a crowded market, if you are at the beginning stages of your design journey, think about whether your facility design will have longer-term appeal. This is especially valuable if you are a veterinarian who is planning for retirement, consolidation or a corporate sale.

Always opt for a space design that supports care efficiency and workflow yet offers flexibility for possible expansion. Ultimately, if your practice is appealing to staff and customers—and supports the way your care team works within the space—it will be a successful investment. And to ensure a successful outcome for your project, lean on the expertise of a partner who understands care delivery, animal health equipment and facility design.

What role does architecture and interior design play in differentiating one veterinary clinic from another and establishing a clinic’s brand identity?

 Design can play a powerful role in creating a clinic that attracts both talented staff and clients. However, the materials and equipment that your architect recommends can also impact the lifespan of your animal hospital.

When selecting flooring materials and color palettes, make sure you understand how the materials will hold up in your environment and whether they will degrade with regular use of healthcare-grade disinfectants and cleaning supplies.

Cabinetry is often one of the first design choices, frequently specified for cost rather than function. While it’s important to select tables, cabinetry and furniture that look great and support your aesthetic vision, choose options that can withstand the rigors of veterinary care function.

While the cost of healthcare-grade furniture and equipment may be higher on the front end, the investment pays dividends in the long run. Quality products that are durable and attractive will help you and your architect design an appealing space that supports patient care for years to come.

Remember, every new space looks great on opening day. Make sure you select materials that still look good in ten years.

When thinking about ways that veterinarians can bring a more unique approach to their clinics, what recommendations do you have to share?

 When you visualize your dream facility, think about how you want to interact with patients, clients and staff. Too often, care teams find themselves constrained within a specific square-footage. Once the supplies, furniture and equipment are integrated into the space, workflow and efficiency are impeded because flow and care process were not considered in the early-stage layout.

Have candid discussions with your team, and even your peers, about your goals for the practice. Next, measure and evaluate the current space: What works and what does not? How do you want to use technology and equipment to deliver care? Will laptops or tablets be used in your day-to-day? Simple decisions early in the design phase can help standardize care processes and create efficiencies that support better patient outcomes.

How can animal clinics make more meaningful choices about their design, technology and medical equipment?

It’s always beneficial to engage with equipment manufacturers early in the design process. Working together to integrate medical technologies and equipment into the layout and design can help avoid costly change orders later in the construction phase. More importantly, understanding where—and how—the equipment is used in the space helps create an environment that truly support care delivery and efficiency.

Select a manufacturer well-versed in both animal care technology and workflow that can leverage design technology. While two-dimensional floor plans are great for designing a physical space, be sure this manufacturer uses three-dimensional floorplans that will help you best understand the feel, function and flow of the space.

For example, if you are debating whether you want the flexibility of a mobile X-ray unit or a wall-mounted unit that frees floor space, 3D renderings reveal in detail which option is best suited for your space. The footprint of a mobile unit can take up more floor space, perhaps space you don’t have. Meanwhile, wall-mounted units stow safely against the wall but have more than enough reach within your treatment space.

In what ways does the Midmark design team collaborate with outside architects on renovation or new construction projects?

On any project, whether new construction or a renovation, early collaboration between Midmark and your architect can help ensure that the space is designed to support efficient care delivery.

Midmark brings extensive knowledge and experience in clinical workflow and care delivery. We understand how equipment, processes and people come together in a veterinary space, which can help you create an animal care facility with greater flow and efficiency.

Working hand-in-hand with architect teams ensures that the aesthetics of your space are in harmony with the layout of the equipment and the way staff work within the space to deliver care. The Midmark design team uses proprietary software to create 3- dimensional, full-color renderings of care spaces that allow everyone—from the end users to the architects—to see how the finished space will look fully furnished with equipment, cabinetry and technology.

Finally, Midmark oversees the details of delivery and installation, post-sale training and support. Getting customers up and running quickly—and supporting them long-term—is the ultimate goal.

We really appreciate Steve’s valuable feedback and his time. If you’d like to learn more about Midmark, you can visit www.midmark.com.

Image Credit: Karsten Winegeart