Constructive Criticism

Erecting a veterinary hospital nowadays isn’t as simple as getting a quote and signing a contract. Do you want a construction manager, and if so, should the person be an “agent” or “at risk”?

My August/September article “Assembly Required”— read it at bit.ly/ConstructiveCriticismQA — addressed how to find a builder. In this second part, I’ll talk about project delivery and today’s most popular contract arrangements. Q. What do you mean by project delivery? A. Project delivery refers to the execution of construction work. It includes pre-construction activities like obtaining […]

Hiring the builder of your dream hospital isn’t as simple as selecting the lowest bidder or relying on a friend’s recommendation. Looking for a contractor with experience in animal care projects is a good first step.

A common topic of discussion during almost every building project involves the selection of the contractor. More often than not, veterinarians looking to construct their first hospital aren’t sure how to proceed. They might know what they want, where the hospital will be located and how they’ll pay for it, but all the planning in […]

Eliminating pathogens in the age of COVID-19 is more important than ever at veterinary hospitals. Regardless of whether you use ultraviolet light, double doors or elbow grease, attention to detail is what matters.

Modern veterinary hospital design has long focused on pathogen control and biosecurity, but to be extra safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, let’s review recommended strategies and features. The ideas laid out below are most applicable to clinics scheduled to be built or renovated, but a surprising number can be incorporated into existing facilities at minimal […]

HVAC systems do more than just adjust the ambient air temperature. They’re also crucial for controlling odors, humidity and the spread of pathogens.

When clients walk in the door, you want them to sense that the hospital environment is of the same quality as the medicine you practice. Do they notice odors and noise, or is the clinic clean, bright and fresh? How your hospital performs and how it is perceived by clients and team members is influenced […]

Chemotherapy drugs and other hazardous medications require special handling and containment to protect hospital staff and patients from dangerous exposure. C-PEC? PPE? USP 800? You have a lot to learn.

Readers might recall Ronak Kadakia’s excellent article “Are You Ready for USP 800?” in the June/July 2019 issue of Today’s Veterinary Business. As of Dec. 1, 2019, the USP <800> standard for the safe handling of hazardous drugs applies to veterinary practices and other health care facilities. My firm has been busy working with veterinary […]

Planning a top-notch surgery suite requires attention to detail. Only after you figure out what you truly need can you fine-tune the budget, complete the design and start construction.

Just about every veterinary hospital does surgery, yet there is no-one-size-fits-all surgery suite design. This article will assume you are constructing a new surgery suite, though most of my advice will apply to a renovation or expansion. As with any construction project, the first step is defining the what, where, how much and how long. […]

When carving out space for alternative medicine treatments, your goal should be to create a calming atmosphere by reducing noise, odors and other distractions.

I’ve witnessed many changes in animal care over my almost 25 years of designing veterinary hospitals, from technology and standards of care to treatment options and growing awareness of preventive and wellness care, to name a few. To me, the biggest change has involved pet owners and their mindset that pets are no longer merely […]

A room dedicated to ultrasound or endoscopy — or both — requires thoughtful layout and certain fixtures to ensure efficiency.

Some diagnostic and treatment procedures once found only in specialist facilities are turning up in a wider range of practices because of greater equipment options and higher standards of care. In the last issue of Today’s Veterinary Business, I discussed planning a dedicated dental procedures space. This month, I will cover how to design rooms […]

A well-equipped and well-situated suite will help a hospital capitalize on the fast-growing service of oral care.

Veterinary medicine has enjoyed healthy growth for a number of years in the range of services offered. For many general practices and specialty hospitals, income and caseload growth are powered by expanded diagnostic and treatment modalities. Carving out space for special procedures has become standard in both new and existing clinics. Clients are looking to […]

Adjust your thinking and your hospital to appeal to millennials.

“Millennials are killing the ___________ industry!” Headlines like that are all over social media and in the news. Every day, it seems, another business model is being threatened by millennials’ way of doing things. The fact is, young people act, buy and are focused differently compared with older generations. My grown children are of the […]