Trending
Building Design for Animals
Article by Paul Gladysz, AIA, NCARB, CSI, ICC
Squeaky Clean
Eliminating pathogens in the age of COVID-19 is more important than ever at veterinary hospitals.
Modern veterinary hospital design has long focused on pathogen control and biosecurity, but to be extra safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic there are recommended strategies and features that can be incorporated to support best practices and evolving protocols.
These include:
- Entry Vestibules used as a protected no-contact handoff point between clients and the veterinary team.
- Direct-Access Exam Rooms that can serve as a middle ground between today’s reality and the traditional waiting room setup as COVID-19 restrictions are eased.
- Waiting Areas more for staging than sitting with fewer seats spread farther apart.
- Air Circulation that separates the building into zones that can address the spread of airborne pathogens.
- Air Cleansing with UV-C (ultraviolet C) modules and air-filtration filters.
- High-touch surfaces with added antimicrobial finishes and other finishes that keep surfaces clean along with touchless fixtures.
- Doing it by hand with properly used sprays, wipes and appropriate cleaning supplies.
Regardless of whether you use ultraviolet light, double-doors or elbow grease, attention to detail is what matters and working with a designer who understands the specific needs of veterinary clinics in the new reality has never been more important.
To learn more about this topic read the full article ‘Squeaky Clean’ published in Today’s Veterinary Business.
