Planning a Radiology Fitout? Here’s What You Need to Know

When it comes to setting up or renovating a radiology practice, designing a functional and patient-friendly space will go a long way to differentiate your practice from competitors.  A well-planned radiology fitout not only ensures compliance with safety regulations but also helps create a welcoming environment for patients.

Whether you're building a new radiology clinic or upgrading an existing one, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know to create a high-functioning, compliant, and aesthetically appealing space.

A radiology fitout involves more than just placing imaging equipment into a room. It requires careful planning to meet technical, safety, and workflow requirements. Knowing what you can and can’t do will also inform the design of the entire fitout and the aesthetic choices you make. Below are the critical components to consider when designing your radiology space:

Safety and Compliance

Radiology fitouts must adhere to strict safety standards due to the use of radiation-producing equipment. These requirements include:

• Radiation Shielding: Proper shielding in walls, floors, and ceilings is essential to prevent radiation leakage into surrounding areas. Lead lining or barium plaster is often used for this purpose.
• Compliance with National Construction Code: Your radiology fitout must comply with the National Construction Code (NCC) to ensure the safety and structural integrity of the building.
• Disability Access: Radiology clinics must also meet the disability access requirements outlined in AS 1428.1, ensuring that your space is accessible to all patients.
• Fire Safety: Installing fire detection and protection systems is mandatory, ensuring a safe environment for both patients and staff.

We understand that compliance requirements are quite complicated. This makes finding a fitout partner who understands the Victorian building code essential for the success of your build. Not sure where to start? Check out all of the experience we have doing medical fitouts across Melbourne. 

License & Shielding Plan

In Victoria, you must obtain a relevant licence from the Department of Health before installing an X-ray machine. Without this licence, you cannot legally install and operate the equipment.

An approved shielding plan is also essential. A licensed radiation consultant creates this plan and details the required safety measures to ensure radiation doesn’t escape the room. It is important to have this plan approved before any work begins. This plan will be required when registering with the Victorian Department of Health.

Equipment Integration

Radiology clinics rely on a range of specialised imaging equipment, from X-rays to MRIs. Consider how many machines you’d like to install and the type of machines required for your practice. Both of these factors will significantly influence the design of your entire fitout.

Precise Installation

The efficacy of imaging machines relies on their ability to produce precise results every single time. For this to occur, machines must be installed to exact specifications by an expert. This isn’t a simple plug-and-play installation. An improper instalment could lead to costly repair fees down the road.

Power Supply & Cooling

Radiology machines demand significant amounts of power to function optimally. All of this output generates heat, which requires proper ventilation as well. Your fitout design should factor in all of these probabilities.

If working with a fitout company, they should also be skilled at rerouting power and HVAC installation. Proper temperature control ensures equipment runs smoothly and also maintains a comfortable atmosphere for patients.

Technical requirements aside, radiology fitouts should have an intuitive sense of flow, or direction. An ideal layout ensures patients travel smoothly throughout the space and allows staff to work effectively. Here are some tips for optimising workflow:

• Designated Zones: There should be a clear delineation from reception, waiting areas and clinical spaces. Imaging rooms should be easily accessible from both the reception and waiting areas, with doors wide enough for guests in wheelchairs.
• Private Spaces: Often clinics will cut corners here. Ideally, you should incorporate private change rooms and recovery areas into your radiology fitout. If possible, position these somewhere between the waiting area and the imaging room for patient convenience.
• Storage Solutions: In clinical builds, space is already limited due to space occupied by equipment. Therefore, your design should make use of every square metre available. Built-in storage for medical supplies and records helps keep the clinic organised and efficient, ensuring a clutter-free environment.

Recommended Reading: The Ultimate Medical Fitout Guide

Patients need imaging exams for a variety of reasons. For some, the issue may be quite serious. On top of that, radiology machinery can be loud, uncomfortable and even claustrophobic. You can probably imagine the anxiety yourself right now.

A well-thought-out fitout can make all the difference in reducing patient stress and improving their overall experience. Here are key ways to achieve a patient-centric design:

1. A Welcoming Waiting Area 

Creating a welcoming waiting area is essential for putting patients at ease before their appointments. To design a calming space:

• Use Soothing Colours: Choose a neutral or soft colour palette to promote relaxation.
• Add Natural Elements: Plants, nature-inspired artwork, and large windows that allow natural light can enhance the atmosphere.
• Comfortable Seating: Provide spacious and comfortable seating that allows patients to relax before their procedures. Where possible, ensure there is enough spacing between seating so that patients can discuss concerns with staff and family members.
• Temperature Control: Ensure the waiting area is kept at a comfortable temperature, and provide privacy for patients to discuss concerns with staff or family members.

Recommended Reading: Patient-Centric Doctor's Waiting Room Ideas

2. Balancing Comfort with Radiology Needs

It’s well known in the medical industry that imaging machine design prioritises radiolucency over everything else. The ability of MRIs and X-rays to generate clean images is the reason why they’re still in use today. But that design doesn’t always put patient comfort first. 

During procedures, patient comfort is vital for ensuring quality imaging results. Extended imaging sessions can especially be uncomfortable or even claustrophobic for some patients. Ironically, a fidgety patient could ruin the images captured by the machine. Here are some ways you can design for comfort in your fitout without impacting the quality of your radiology procedures.

• Comfortable Padding: Use ergonomically designed padding on imaging beds to alleviate pressure points.
• Warm Blankets and Gowns: Providing patients with soft, warm blankets and procedure gowns can increase their comfort during scans.
• Calming Lighting and Sounds: Consider using soft, dynamic lighting in the imaging rooms and playing soothing music to help patients relax. In MRI rooms, acoustic treatments on walls may help to reduce noise.
• Open MRI Machines: When possible, open MRI machines can reduce feelings of claustrophobia and create a more pleasant experience for patients.

Incorporating cutting-edge technologies and design trends can help your radiology practice stand out. Here are a few ideas to consider:

• Virtual Reality (VR): Did you know that immersive VR environments could help calm nerves? A recent study showed that giving patients the option to use a VR headset during a radiology procedure reduced anxiety in patients who used the headsets, allowing physicians to extract more accurate images during the process.
• Customisable Music: Give patients the option to choose their music during procedures using headphones, helping them relax and feel more in control of the situation.
• Video Projection: Use video projection systems in imaging rooms to display soothing visuals, creating a distraction during long procedures.

The process of designing and executing a radiology fitout involves several stages. Working with experienced professionals ensures that your clinic meets all regulations while creating a space that supports both staff and patients.

1. Site Assessment: Evaluate the potential site for suitability and compliance with building and safety codes.
2. Consultation: Collaborate with radiologists and staff to understand specific equipment needs and workflow preferences. At this stage, we would also consult a radiation specialist to develop a shielding plan.
3. 3D Visualisation: Using our in-house design team, we would then create a realistic 3D model of a space that meets the needs of patient comfort, physician workflow, and technical requirements. We would also identify potential material options and the costs for each.
4. Permit Acquisition: Upon sign-off, we will work with you to secure all necessary permits and approvals from local authorities.
5. Construction and Fitout: We get to work right away on the build, working from the approved design and materials.
6. Quality Control: We conduct thorough testing and compliance checks at the beginning, middle, and end of the project to ensure all aspects of the fitout meet safety and operational standards. The radiation consultant is then brought back on-site for one final shielding verification.

After that, your brand new fitout is ready to go!

Designing a radiology clinic goes beyond meeting regulatory requirements—it’s about creating a space that enhances the patient experience and supports staff productivity. From radiation shielding to calming waiting areas, a well-executed radiology fitout can have a significant impact on the success of your clinic.

At Canopy Fitouts, we specialise in creating patient-centric medical spaces that meet the highest safety and design standards. If you’re considering a radiology fitout, contact us today to discuss your vision and how we can bring it to life. Give us a call at 1800 434 868, or email info@canopyfitouts.com.au to get started.