Put yourself in your customers' shoes for a minute, and step back and take a look at your pharmacy layout. Is it pleasing to the eye? Does it evoke a sense of comfort, security, and warmth? Is it softly but effectively lit so that everything is easy to see? Is merchandise organized neatly, with clear signage identifying each department so that your customers can find what they need easily?
If you think your layout is lacking, these pointers should help you modernize -- most especially important now, with recent HIPAA regulations in force.
Elements of a modern pharmacy layout
A decor that focuses on esthetics
Surprised that decor is important? It's true that your job as a pharmacist is still to serve your customers to the best of your ability and to make sure that you are in compliance with all regulations. However, a decor that focuses on esthetics and makes your customers comfortable should be part of your pharmacy layout today. Customers' shopping environment has to be pleasantly inviting so that they will want to come and shop – even stay and linger. Some customers, of course, will still simply want to rush in and pick up a bottle of aspirin or a prescription, but the more you can encourage customers to linger by ensuring their comfort, the greater your profits.Focus on things like:
- Soothing floor coverings and walls covered in real or faux wood, for example, and soft pastel paintings or wall coverings
- Updated pharmacy fixtures and shelving that match or accent the rest of your decor
Your pharmacy fixtures and shelving have to be functional, of course, but they don't have to be "institutional" any more than your flooring does. Today's fixtures and shelving come in a variety of colors, styles and materials so that you can mix and match as you wish to get just the look that you want. Construct your pharmacy layout by investing in new gondola shelving, wall units, end caps and other fixtures that set up and break down easily, but look permanent once they are in place. You can change your layout whenever you wish.
Softer fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent lighting is still the way to go because it is cost-effective and efficient. However, today's fluorescent lights come in full spectrum models that offer more natural lighting and avoid the glare and "buzz" of traditional fluorescent lights; this again makes your store's interior much more soothing to your customers.
Full compliance with 2013 HIPAA regulations
The HIPAA regulations that went into effect in September of 2013 mean that you now must protect patients' personal health information (PHI), report all security breaches to the Department of Health and Human Services, and allow patients complete access to their files.
This means that protections like secure access via authenticated login and workstation access restriction are now required. In addition, portable devices that allow access to PHI like laptop computers and tablets must now be kept in secure areas like behind the pharmacy counter or in shelving fixtures that lock so that access can be strictly controlled.
A modern pharmacy layout does more than just make your store look better. It attracts customers and makes them want to stay and shop – and it keeps you in compliance with strict new regulations that are for your customers' benefit.
