The pet will not be admitted to the animal hospital Columbus and will not be staying overnight. Outpatient areas are composed primarily of the reception area and the examination rooms, but the laboratory and pharmacy areas are used for outpatients, as well as for hospitalized patients. Clients generally cannot judge the quality of medicine in a veterinary practice; much of their evaluation of the quality of the practice is based on their impressions of the facility and the level of client service. A disorganized, dirty, smelly, noisy hospital will not inspire confidence in clients about the level of patient care, nor will it convey value for the fees charged. It is important for employees to impress clients by wearing clean, neat uniforms and by maintaining a well-groomed appearance.
Important points to be noted
Clients and their pets typically first enter the animal hospital Columbus reception area, where the admission process begins. Most reception rooms have a large counter behind which the receptionist sits. If the practice uses hard copy medical records, an area for filing them often adjoins the receptionists work area. The receptionist checks the client in, locates the client record, and initiates the business and medical records needed for the visit. Some practices have a separate telephone area where additional receptionists take telephone calls and schedule appointments. The waiting area for clients and their pets often dominates the reception space, but space is often devoted to the sale of pet food and other products as well. Clients often spend time waiting in the reception area, so it is important that this area be neatly organized, attractive, and clean. A bright reception area with attractive wall hangings and plants and warm colors may help clients to relax. However, dead or dying plants in the reception area, hair- balls, and dirty floors will not send a positive message to the client. Seating should be comfortable, and tables or other raised areas on which pet owners can set carriers should be available. The waiting area should be scrupulously clean and should not smell of animal excretions.