As the healthcare industry shifts toward outpatient care, healthcare organizations are reevaluating clinic planning to meet evolving patient needs. Once-standard waiting rooms, workstations, and exam rooms are evolving to accommodate new delivery models for a diverse patient base.

The goal for healthcare organizations is to meet changing programming needs—and that starts with sound planning. Below are four industry factors affecting clinic planning.

Trends
Legislative, eco­nomic, demographic, cultural, and technological trends are all driving clinic planning. The Affordable Care Act, for instance, is placing greater emphasis on cost containment and outcomes, while aging boomers are posing a pending tsunami of new patients on the system.

Utilization
Dedicated clinic spaces are giving way to flexible space planning to increase utilization for emerging models such as collaborative care, group exams, wellness programs, and resource centers. The benefits reduce square footage while meeting flexible programming needs.

Design
Safety, privacy, acoustics, universal accessibility, wayfinding, and architectural details are key planning considerations for all clinic types. Particular emphasis varies by individual clinic staffing, services, location, and patient population. 

Modules
Clinic modules include academic, self-rooming, physician-centric, physician and staff collaborative, neighborhood clinic, and MOB, while emerging clinic models include group exams and multiple specialists. Informed planning evaluates the right module for the right service.

Implicit is patient safety, acces­sibility, and efficiency. At Fairview Medical Center in Maple Grove, Minn., for instance, multiple specialties serving cardiology, endocrinology, medical oncology, urology, and primary care share common resources to improve efficiency and utilization while clear wayfinding makes it easy for patients to locate check-in and specialties. Sound clinic planning should balance a range of factors.