• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Conference Coverage
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Digital Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Pharmacy
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Veterinary Heroes
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Efficiency in a veterinary practice with a small footprint

December 1, 2012

It's not impossible to build a high-efficiency veterinary practice in a small space.

Q I'm building a really small practice—1,000 square feet—in a heavily urban area. How do I make it efficient?

For a tight order like that, make sure you start right, says Veterinary Economics Editorial Advisory Board member Wayne Usiak, AIA, and senior partner of Wayne Usiak and Associates/BDA Architecture P.C.

Advertisement

"Your designer must understand every protocol used in veterinary practice," Usiak says. "He or she must be familiar with every piece of equipment, minimum clearances, and required utility services, and must be able to help you pick out the tasks that can occupy the same space and the tasks that need separation. Every square foot must do double duty—at a minimum— to optimize the space."

Usiak recommends building multipurpose rooms instead of multiple small rooms. This also reduces the need for many hallways, as the spaces provide the circulation area.

"The design must optimize income-producing space; but don't neglect the critical features that reinforce practice image, client comfort, and convenience," he says. "Small practices are often the most intimate, high-touch, personal-relationship practices. Remember to include these qualities in your quest for task layout productivity."

Usiak compares designing a veterinary hospital to building a sailboat: All three dimensions must be addressed, and every cubic foot should be important. A good way to do this in tight spaces is to use space on top of or below elements.

Related Content:

Practice FinancesBuying or Selling a Practice
GoodVets launches in Tampa with opening of new veterinary hospital
GoodVets launches in Tampa with opening of new veterinary hospital
Market research: How to find your edge
Market research: How to find your edge
A technician’s true value
A technician’s true value

Advertisement

Latest News

Pet Advocacy Network honors outstanding contributions to the pet care community

Traditional and holistic treatments for giardia

ASU trustees approve the creation of a new veterinary school

6 tips for first-time dog owners

View More Latest News
Advertisement