CHC Planning Guide 2017 - 16

Guidance & Expertise from CHC Dental Leaders

Multiple Floors
If, with multiple floors you do not have room to place all primary
medical and all dental on the first floor, then do a Medical A with a
Dental A clinic on the same floor and a Medical B and Dental B on the
second floor to assure that medical and dental are well-integrated
and patient movement is minimal.
Such an arrangement promotes efficiency for the clinical staff,
especially when coordinating with each other or providing services
within each other's clinical spaces. This also means increased
billable encounter numbers.
Patients, especially those herding children, are more able to access combined services, which means a more
effective treatment experience and care outcomes.

EXPERT
ADVICE

The most effective groupings for patient movement when building within multiple floors is
to have primary medical care and dental share the first floor and obstetrics and pediatrics
share the second floor.

Strategic Design can allow for complementary plumbing and gas lines for both dental floors along with
placement of the mechanical room on the lower floor to accommodate both dental clinics.

Optimal Patient Flow Through Service Points
Successful design brings all department heads together to assure that all needs are met, creative solutions flow,
and all interdependencies and opportunities to share multipurpose spaces are identified. Wherever possible,
clinic design should allow patients to move between medical and dental without going back through reception.

EXPERT
ADVICE

After receiving care, it is ideal to have patients leave through an exit and checkout space
without having to traverse the main waiting room. This improves flow and prevents
congestion. Patients receiving surgical dental services could have designated parking
spaces located outside such exits to allow ease of transfer.

Space for case managers, promotores de salud, or other treatment enablers is essential and their location
should be integrated into the clinical design (not the administrative design), allowing them to quickly move from
one discipline to another to serve patients no matter where their appointments originate. Grouping staff in pods
(teams) which are positioned near their treatment areas allows them to not only see each other but track their
assigned treatment rooms and patients. More efficient staff and treatment space location can reduce miles of
staff walking, and promote greater efficiency and timeliness of care.
Have a centralized reception room for both medical and dental patients for more efficient intake, sharing of staff
costs, and coordination of care. For patients brought back for test results or vitals, have a step down waiting
area located between just after intake but before the treatment rooms. Consider multipurpose treatment rooms
between medical and dental that can allow for all services. There are equipment choices that will support this
model. It allows for people with disabilities or moms with children to receive care that 'orbits' around them rather
than having to move around the facility.

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of CHC Planning Guide 2017