• 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.

Small change: Huge impact

January 18, 2017
Heather E. Lewis, AIA, NCARB, AAA

If your reception area could use a refresh, start with the reception desk says veterinary architect Heather Lewis. That one change will make a big difference in your space.

A small change that has huge results is to update your reception desk, says veterinary architect Heather Lewis, AIA, NCARB. It's the first interaction clients have with your practice, but the desk gets old and wears out. Over time it doesn't reflect the statement you want to make anymore.

You can get a desk relaminated or replace the countertops, or buy a new desk entirely. The best ones are completely new, Lewis says.

When choosing a new desk think about what kind of relationship you want your client service representatives to have with your clients:

> Do you want CSRs to be eye level? Seated?

> Do you want the desk to be less of a wall-like barrier?

Think about the materials of the desk and how to upgrade them to be more modern and durable. The desk takes a lot of abuse over time and you want something that will stand up to that, Lewis recommends.

Hulen Hills Animal Hospital, in Fort Worth, Texas, before updating their reception desk. Photo courtesy of Dr. Steve Hotchkiss.

 

Advertisement

Hulen Hills after their remodel. Photo courtesy of Dr. Steve Hotchkiss.

In addition to the desk itself, you can update or change the lighting above the desk to give the reception area a new feeling. There are a lot of different pendant lighting options, Lewis says.

Pendant lighting over the reception desk at McGregor Boulevard Veterinary Clinic in Fort Meyers, Florida. Photo courtesy of Stuary Gobey, Island Studio Photography.

Another thing to consider is your receptionist's comfort. Get them new chairs that are comfortable to spend long periods of time sitting in. Receptionists often get cold sitting right by the door that's always opening. Some practices combat this by installing radiant heating in the floor so receptionists won't have to plug in space heaters, Lewis notes.

One final point is to think about your computer and the paper storage that the desk will need. Cutting down clutter is a good idea because it gives the desk clean, client-pleasing appearance. Plan to have space for prescription pick up, will you have drawers or cubbies in your desk? Some hospitals utilize hanging pharmacy bags to save space.

Melrose Animal Hospital in Melrose, Massachusetts, stores drugs for client pick ups in hanging pharmacy bags behind their reception desk. Photo courtesy of Tim Murphy, FotoImagery.

 

Related Content:

Client Relations & MarketingBuying or Selling a Practice
GoodVets launches in Tampa with opening of new veterinary hospital
GoodVets launches in Tampa with opening of new veterinary hospital
Treating patients with spectrum of care in mind
Treating patients with spectrum of care in mind
 BluePrints Veterinary Marketing Group awarded 2 Gold VETTY Awards
BluePrints Veterinary Marketing Group awarded 2 Gold VETTY Awards

Advertisement

Latest News

Viticus group seeks applications for veterinary boot camp scholarship

Unusual parasite strain kills 4 California sea otters

Q&A with a keynote: Jan Bellows, DVM, DAVDC, DABVP, FAVD

Evaluating liver enzyme elevation

View More Latest News
Advertisement