1. Medical Assisting Chapter 13
PowerPoint® to accompany
Medical Assisting Chapter 13
Second Edition
Ramutkowski  Booth  Pugh  Thompson  Whicker
Chapter 13
Copyright © The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. Permission required for reproduction or display.

2. Patient Reception Area
Objectives
13-1 Identify the elements that are important in a patient reception area.
13-2 Discuss ways to determine what furniture is necessary for a patient reception area and how it should be arranged?
13-3 List the housekeeping tasks and equipment needed for this area of the office.
13-4 Summarize the OSHA regulations that pertain to a patient reception area.

3. Patient Reception Area
Objectives (cont.)
13-5 List the types of reading material appropriate to a patient reception area.
13-6 Describe how modifications to a reception area can accommodate patients with special needs.
13-6 Identify special situations that can affect the arrangement of a reception area.

4. Patient Reception Area
Lighting
Music
First
Impressions
The reception area creates an impression of whether the practice is successful or outdated.
Use fairly bright lighting in this area
Music should be calming and soothing
Reception
Area
Room
Temperature
Average comfortable temperature

5. Patient Reception Area (cont.)
Decor
Colors & Fabrics
Specialty Items
Use a group of colors that work well together
Consider the mood you want to create
Items that add a special touch
Items that may interest patients that are waiting
Always keep safety in mind when placing items in the reception area.

6. Patient Reception Area (cont.)
Furniture
Arranging Furniture
Allow maximum floor space and patient comfort
Ensuring Privacy
Placing chairs in corners allows some privacy
Interim rooms are great space for private discussions with patients
Accommodating Children
Child-size chairs and play furniture are needed in pediatric offices
A separate waiting room for well and sick or contagious children

7. Apply Your Knowledge -Answer Yes No
The purpose of the music is to soothe and calm patients.
Another point is “most” patients present are in this age group but not all.
-Answer
Imagine that you are working in the reception area of the medical office and most of the patients waiting to be seen are between the ages of 19 and 22. Would it be appropriate to put on a mixture of heavy metal and rap music? If yes, why? If no, why not?
Yes No

8. The Importance of Cleanliness
Housekeeping
Maintaining high standards of cleanliness is
essential.
If a professional cleaning service is used, leave detailed special instructions as needed.
If office personnel are responsible for cleaning the following equipment and supplies may be needed:
 vacuums
 mops
 brooms
 trash bags
 cleaning solutions
 rags & buckets

9. The Importance of Cleanliness (cont.)
Cleaning Stains
It is important to remove stains right away from furniture and carpet.
Removing Odors
Odors are particularly offensive, and the following steps can be taken to minimize odors:
Display “No Smoking” signs.
Invest in a good ventilation system with charcoal filters.
Disinfectant and deodorant sprays are helpful.

10. The Importance of Cleanliness (cont.)
Infectious Waste
If the patient vomits or bleeds on the rug or furniture, this is infectious waste.
Proper cleaning and disposal is required.
OSHA Regulations
Regular cleaning of walls and floors is required.
Use of disinfectants to combat bacteria is also required.
Broken glass must be disposed of using tongs or a brush, never the hands since it may be contaminated.

11. Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
The chair must be removed from the reception area immediately, and gloves will be required. It is essential to follow OSHA guidelines when handling blood and body fluids. Special cleaning procedures will be required.
-Answer
A patient is coming to see the physician because of bleeding at the surgical site (right upper thigh). While waiting in the reception area the bleeding gets into the chair cushion of the patient’s seat. What should the medical assistant do in this situation?

12. The Physical Components
Office Access
Parking Arrangements
Free parking lots improve access to the office.
Entrances
Must be easy to identify.
Must be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers.
Safety and Security
Building Exits
It is best to have at least two exits.
Illuminated red “Exit” signs are required.
Smoke Detectors
The law requires that smoke detectors that sound an alarm be present in offices.
Security Systems
A security alarm system offers valuable protection.

13. Keeping Patients Occupied and Informed
Reading Materials
BULLETIN BOARD
Bulletin boards with bright colors and bold headings attract
readers.
Bulletin Board TIPS
Do not allow the board to become cluttered.
Display current information such as nutritional guidelines. Pamphlets or flyers from nonprofit health-care organizations may be posted.
Place extra copies so patients can take one home if possible.
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Medical brochures are also commonly found in the reception area.
It is important to read medical brochures and validate their accuracy before placing them in the reception area.
PATIENT INFORMATION PACKETS
Office informational packets can inform patients about the medical practice physicians, billing practices and insurance processing practices.
MAGAZINES AND BOOKS
Select reading materials for both adults and younger children that may be of interest to them.

14. Keeping Patients Occupied and Informed (cont.)
Television and Video Tapes
Television and videotapes are becoming more common in reception areas.
Informative health videos can be displayed as patients wait to be seen.
Items for Children
Items such as toys, videos, and books are common for children.
Avoid balls, jump ropes, and other toys that tend to be very disruptive.

15. Patients with Special Needs
Some patients will require special accommodations due to conditions that limit or change their abilities.
Americans
With
Disabilities Act
 This is a federal civil rights act that prevents discrimination of differently abled individuals with physical or mental handicaps.
 Medical offices must be able to accommodate the special needs of clients by providing:
additional space in waiting rooms
making provisions for patients with visual and/or hearing impairments
Older
Americans
Act of 1965
 This act ensures that elderly patients receive the best possible health care regardless of their ability to pay.
Offices that serve elderly patients
must be sensitive to their special needs.
Provide chairs that make it easy for the elderly patient to use.
Provide reading materials with large print.
Be sure reception areas and restrooms are well lit.

16. Special Situations PATIENTS WHO ARE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS
PATIENTS FROM DIVERSE CULTURAL BACKGROUNDS
Patients will feel more comfortable if they enter a reception area that reflects aspects of their culture such as:
Providing reading material in both Spanish and English
Decorating the office for culturally diverse holidays
Posting signs that are in a second language
To protect patients, especially those who are immunocompromised from exposure to highly contagious conditions, the contagious patient should be separated from other patients in the reception area.
PATIENTS WHO ARE HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS

17. Apply Your Knowledge -Answer
A patient that is blind and hard of hearing enters the medical office for the initial visit. How should the medical assistant obtain the medical information?
Speak louder and slower and ask each question of the patient.
Take the patient to a private area if possible to protect his/her medical information.
Only ask questions to the person accompanying the patient.

18. End of Chapter
End of Chapter