Architectural Services & Interior Design

Healthcare facilities are particularly sophisticated. Each treatment type requires special processes and services. State building codes, state health codes, AIA Guidelines, NFPA codes all make healthcare one of the most code intensive project types.

The architects at Practice Setup have invested a great deal to build cutting edge knowledge of healthcare facility requirements. Health professionals must take many factors into consideration when deciding to open a medical office. In real estate it is said that the 3 most important considerations are location, location, and location, so let's start with that. You should plan on it taking 6 to 8 months -- about half of that time to find the place and the other half for build out or renovation.

If you already have an existing practice, the location needs to be convenient to patients. It helps to take a local map or print out the appropriate section from an online mapping program, such as Google maps (http://maps.google.com/maps) or MapQuest (http://www.mapquest.com/).

Draw a circle (or semblance of a circle) on the map circumscribing as many of the residences of your patients as possible. The ideal location is in the center of that circle. However, one must also take into account other factors, such as the availability of parking for suburban and rural practices, and the proximity of public transportation for urban practices. If you will be spending a good deal of your time in a hospital, proximity to that hospital will be important. It might also be prudent if you receive referrals from other physicians to consider locating in a medical office suite.