Whether it's time for a major remodel of your existing pharmacy or you're starting from the ground up on a brand new pharmacy build, the first steps involved in the planning stage will be critical in setting the tone for your pharmacy design. It's not unheard of for the planning phase of a pharmacy remodel/build to actually take as much time as the construction phase, and it's important to realize that getting things decided in detail at the beginning can end up saving you both time and money down the road.
One thing you'll definitely want to consider is how things in the industry have changed during the past decade and how these changes will specifically affect your pharmacy design. Some of the more significant changes you'll want to address include:
- New HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) regulation changes that impose stricter requirements regarding patient privacy and personal medical data security for your clients.
- New technological advances in automated dispensing and other robotic systems that require consideration of a new back end area pharmacy design that incorporates dedicated areas for placement of specialized pieces of equipment. This is in addition to centralized work spaces that allow for not only improved workflow efficiency but also separated areas where clients can be counseled in privacy, in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
- A new trend finding favor with neighborhood independent pharmacy owners is the addition of an "in-house" meeting place reminiscent of the old-time soda fountains popular decades ago in neighborhood drug stores. As an alternative, a coffee or tea bar can be constructed on a smaller scale. The idea is to give customers a place to gather, visit, and simply spend more time in your place of business.
- Going "natural" or "organic" is a new trend that today's pharmacy patrons find both soothing and inviting. "Natural" applies to things such as lighting (windows and/or skylights), floor coverings, color schemes, etc. "Organic" refers not only to the products on offer, such as food supplements and cosmetics, but also the tasteful application of non-allergenic indoor plants throughout the retail areas.
First Things First
Anyone serious about creating the ideal pharmacy space should think about the benefits of contracting a professional pharmacy design firm—one that's made its name creating successful pharmacies through the application of proven, time-tested design formulas. The modest additional cost of hiring professionals dedicated to pharmacy design in the first stages of your build or remodel will likely be repaid many times over by generating greater business volume through the application of proven psychological sales techniques for moving more retail products. In the back end prescription dispensing area, a dedicated design team can help ensure that everything is done to satisfy both state and federal regulations regarding the handling of clients' Protected Health Information (PHI).
Another important factor in the discussion of "first things first" is the selection of your pharmacy shelving, fixtures, and work station furniture, such as desks and cabinets. Some builders or remodelers make the mistake of waiting until a job is nearly completed before selecting and installing these items, which has often proven to be a fatal flaw in a building plan.
Fixtures and shelving should be budgeted for and factored into your pharmacy design from the very beginning of a build in order to ensure needed accessibility requirements are met for ADA compliance and that restrooms, exits, electrical outlets, etc., aren't hindered by haphazard fixture placement.
Like the axiom states: "Measure twice—cut once." Spend some serious time on the critical planning steps and watch your desired plan unfold to your envisioned ideal. It's worth it!
