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A checklist for equipping
your first office When equipping your first office, you have so many things to consider that you can easily become overwhelmed. Slow down, and take a deep breath. It’s going to be OK. With a little common sense and some simple guidelines you will be up and running smoothly in no time. The following checklists contain items that you may or may not want to utilize in the office. Some are necessary and some are optional — it is up to you to decide what you will definitely need. WAITING ROOM Six chairs in your waiting room are normally sufficient, but if you are planning on a high-volume practice you may need more. One must is to make sure you leave an area for a product display. Offering quality products to your patients will solidify your position as their healthcare provider, increase patient referrals, and add revenue to your office. There are no negatives to having a display area. Your waiting room checklist includes: [ ] Waiting room chairs — must be comfortable RECEPTION AND CA WORK AREA An open space for this area works best and is most efficient. It provides a friendly and inviting atmosphere. Your front desk CA should have a clear view of the waiting area so he or she can greet each patient. Within a few feet in any direction, provide your front-office CA with access to the telephone, computer, fax, filing area, copier, appointment book, and any other tools she may need. Reserve a fairly large countertop area for patients to sign in and sufficient space to place literature and retail countertop displays for smaller retail product offerings. [ ] Computer ADJUSTING ROOM(S) In the adjusting room, strive for efficiency and energy conservation. Not having to move the patient is the best way to accomplish this. Choose a table, if at all possible, that fulfills all of your needs. For instance: If you use a drop technique and a low-force technique, then an elevation/drop table would work fine. This type of table allows you to perform the low-force technique at the higher level and the drop technique at a lower height. The biggest mistake when looking for an adjusting table is being oversold, since models and options are endless. To avoid paying for features you don’t need, first sit down and write out what you do need. If you don’t know what a certain option is, write down what you want it to accomplish, then dictate the options to the salesperson and let him or her give you the models that fit those specifications. Unnecessary table features cost more, complicate treatment, and offer more things that can break in the future. One way to save money is to purchase a refurbished table instead of a new one. Refurbished tables can provide nearly equal quality at about half the price of a new one. Refurbished tables have been stripped down, have had parts replaced and/or repaired, the base repainted, and foam and covers replaced to your specifications. A good refurbished table looks and performs like a new table. All refurbished tables are used tables, but not all used tables are refurbished. Take care in finding out exactly what you are buying. Used tables are generally bought “as is.” [ ] Adjusting table X-RAY/EXAM ROOM Contact your distributor before you sign a lease on a space. X-ray suites have specific electrical and plumbing requirements that may not be available in the space. Electrical and plumbing installations can be very expensive. X-ray equipment generally requires a room size of about 10 feet by 10 feet, but often the suite can be altered to fit your needs. Before you buy x-ray equipment, ask yourself two questions: 1. Should I purchase standard frequency or high frequency? 2. Should I buy new or used? Most new clinics are being set up with high frequency x-ray machines. It is a more advanced technology and provides less skin dose to the patient. For limited budgets, however, standard frequency machines can provide adequate diagnostic-grade x-ray films. When looking at used x-ray equipment, be well informed because much of the used equipment is quite old and some of the equipment may not be able to be serviced. Good deals can sometimes be found. Seek the advice of someone you trust, such as one of your instructors or a local, practicing chiropractor you know, before you buy. Digital equipment is becoming more prevalent in the marketplace, but it may not be cost effective for doctors just getting out of school. X-ray rooms are a very important part of the chiropractic office, but because they are not used full-time, consider doubling your x-ray room’s use by using it for exams or consultation as well as for x-ray. An exam table occupies a space of 2 feet by 6 feet and can normally be pushed against the opposite wall. [ ] Exam table PHYSICAL THERAPY/REHAB If you plan to make physical therapy (PT) and rehab a significant portion of your practice, then you will need a therapy suite, consisting of a large open room with a curtain system to divide the therapy tables. If you offer limited physical therapy, you may do it in the treatment rooms. The downside of using a treatment room for PT is that this slows down patient flow and limits the number of patients you can see in a day. Rehab can be done efficiently with low-tech bands, exercise balls etc. The results can be good and the cost and space required is very low. [ ] Therapy table(s) YOUR PRIVATE OFFICE A doctor’s private office is probably a necessity, but do not devote much room to it. You don’t need a huge private impressive office with a big desk. The private office is your workroom rather than a place to impress patients. Your patients are better served if you put more money into treatment equipment and into the consultation/exam room where you will spend the most time with them on their first visit. Doctor’s private office checklist: [ ] Desk
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Steve Keller is vice president of sales at Scrip Chiropractic Supplies, Inc. (Advertising | Classifieds | Cardpack | Datebook | Past Issues | Chiro History
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