Wachtkamers

Wachtkamers are rooms in medical facilities where patients and their companions wait for appointments or procedures. They are found in hospitals, clinics, dentists’ offices, laboratories, and general practitioners’ practices. The primary purpose is to provide seating, information access, and a waiting area while patients prepare for consultation or treatment.

Typical features include seating, information displays with appointment times or health notices, signage, nearby restrooms, and accessible design such as ramps and elevators. Lighting, climate control, and sometimes magazines, televisions, water or coffee facilities, and charging outlets are common. To protect privacy, conversations are usually conducted away from others, and partitions or screens may offer some separation.

Organization varies by facility. Many settings use appointment-based scheduling to minimize waits, while others handle walk-ins, which can create variability in wait times. Digital systems or screens may show a queue number or estimated wait. Health facilities emphasize infection prevention and cleaning, and patients with contagious symptoms may be asked to wait separately or wear masks.

Design aims to reduce anxiety and improve comfort. This can include calm color schemes, natural light, quiet zones, and dedicated spaces for children. Accessibility is important, with seating for different heights, wheelchair space, and assistance for visually or hearing-impaired patients. Multilingual information and staff assistance may be provided.