We recently added a laser vision correction suite to our comprehensive eyecare center in Dartmouth, MA. Our Dartmouth office is a 40,OOO-square-foot facility that we opened in 1998 (Figure 1 below). In retrofitting the building to add excimer laser capability, there were a number of considerations. The space needed to support surgical excellence, contribute to internal marketing efforts, and promote a quality patient experience. To meet these goals and invest our capital in the most effective way possible required considerable attention be paid to space design.

     Throughout the design process, however, we did not lose sight of the fact that even the most well-planned facility will fail in its objectives if the staff does not deliver great service and excellent patient care. The potential of any space can only be realized in the context of a staff that delivers patient satisfaction.