Today's Veterinary Practice provides comprehensive information to keep every small animal practitioner up to date on companion animal medicine and surgery as well as practice building and management.
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PRACTICE BUILDING | Bamboo greeter’s station at the front of Upstate Veterinary Specialists in Greenville, South Carolina Reception/Waiting Finishes The layout, look, color, and materials of your reception area should create a positive impression. Designs can range from a space where clients feel comfortable enough to take off their shoes to that of a high-tech medical center. Whatever style you choose, remember that your reception area must communicate to your clients the high quality of veterinary care you provide. t Space: Allow enough space around the reception desk for several people and their animals. Six to 7 feet of clear space between the desk and seating areas should be maintained. Consider space requirements for computers, telephones, printers, and credit card machines. Find solutions that minimize crowding and clutter on the surface of the desk. t Lighting: Provide adequate lighting at all work stations. Under-counter lighting can be very effective for task lighting. Overhead task lighting can help to highlight the desk. David Dietrich Photography t Materials: Choose durable materials for the reception area, especially where you expect the most wear. Protect all outside wall corners in the reception room with corner guards, and choose easily cleanable, durable furniture. You may also need a more durable countertop material at the desk than you need elsewhere. In addition, keeping the side of the counter that clients use narrow will discourage them from putting pet carriers on the surface and scratching it. Remember that durable does not have to look clinical or unfashionable. July/August 2011 Today’s Veterinary Practice 69