Whether you're remodeling an existing building or starting from the ground up, do you know how to create a veterinary hospital floorplan that works?

You have to combine flow and efficiency with an aesthetic that appeals to your clients, but that isn't always easy. Thankfully, the right design and construction company can help you out.

These are our top tips for creating a veterinary hospital design that is guaranteed to work.

Treatment Areas

When it comes to the treatment areas, you want to make sure they're large enough as well as centrally located.

Adjoining rooms should be close and easy to access. Rooms you may want to place nearby include the dental areas, ICU, surgery prep and recovery areas, and exam rooms.

That said, having a large treatment area means nothing if it isn't designed for maximum efficiency. Sometimes, it's possible that the treatment area is too big and it's difficult to reach the equipment you need.

The solution? Add L-shaped workstations to the treatment areas.

The idea behind an L-shaped workstation is that it allows you to stay with the animal and still have a location to set your tools and supplies. L-shaped treatment areas let you work quickly and effectively without having to leave the animal.

The treatment area should also have adequate storage and a place for status boards and schedules. The right veterinary design and construction company can help you maximize your layout.

Dental Areas

The tables in your dental area may be standard or custom, but they should have some important features. Tilting tops and adjustable heights allow for easy treatment.

You'll want enough room in the dental area or near the area for the x-ray unit. There are wall-mounted and floor x-ray options.

There should be room for the oxygen tanks. Medical gas closets are usually located on an exterior wall for fire safety reasons.

Equipment should be within easy reach. There should be enough flow and room to move dental carts between work areas. There should also be an exam light at each station.

The ICU

In the ICU, the perimeter should have runs or cages with easy visual access to each cage. Flow is critical here, as the ICU is often a hectic area.

The ICU should have plenty of open floor space to allow for maximum flow and allow staff to move around animals and one another.

It can be open and near the treatment area or sectioned off behind glass. Having it open to the treatment area allows for immediate access, but closing it off can help reduce noise and prevent infection and disease.

Waiting Room and Offices

The waiting room and reception desk is the first thing clients see. It should be warm and welcoming to make your clients and their pets feel at ease. It should be large enough to maneuver, but it doesn't need to be massive.

Offices should be farther back in the hospital, away from traffic but easy enough to slip in and out. The employee break room should also be away from clients and out of the way of busier areas.

There should be a restroom in the waiting room and others that are easy to access and find throughout the veterinary office.

Kennels and Cat Rooms

Consider how many pets you typically expect to be hospitalized overnight. This can give you a better idea of how many runs you'll need as well as how large these wards should be.

You may want to separate the kennels and cat rooms with a hallway or laundry room.

Veterinary Hospital Design Made Simple

The optimal veterinary hospital design involves careful planning to combine the right size rooms and the right layout. The design should be straightforward for maximum efficiency and comfort. You can use these tips to give you an idea of how to plan.

Once you're ready to get started, send us a message, and we'll help you design the perfect veterinary clinic floorplan.