Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 204)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
I.
Electrophysiology: Special diagnostic tests involving the measurement of auditory
evoked potentials from the cochlea, auditory nerve, or brain including
electrocochleography, auditory brainstem response (ABR), middle latency potentials
(MLR), late potentials, and other specialized evoked potential techniques.
J. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): A staffing parameter equal to the amount of time
assigned to one full time employee. It may be composed of several part-time
employees whose total time commitment equals that of a full-time employee. One
FTE equals 40 hours per week.
K. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function within a
clinical service. Typical Functional Areas are Reception Areas, Patient Areas, Support
Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas, Residency and / or Externship (training)
Program Areas.
L. Input Data Statement: A set of questions designed to elicit information about the
healthcare project in order to create a Program for Design (PFD) based on the criteria
parameters set forth in this document. Input Data Statements could be Mission
related, based in the project's Concept of Operations; and Workload or Staffing
related, based on projections and data provided by the VHA or the VISN about the
estimated model of operation. This information is processed through mathematical
and logical operations in VA-SEPS.
M. Otoacoustic Emissions: Otoacoustic emissions (OAE) are electrical potentials
generated in the inner ear. Clinically, two OAE are measured: transient-evoked OAE
(TOAE) and distortion product OAE (DPOAE). These measures are used to evaluate
hearing loss objectively.
N. Posturography: Posturography (also known as computerized dynamic posturography)
is a battery of tests to evaluate balance function using a series of tasks to simulate
situations encountered in daily life. Tests measure sensory organization, motor
control, and proprioceptive aspects of balance. Tests can be used to evaluate
postural stability and movement strategies in patients with disequilibrium or prone to
falling.
O. Program for Design (PFD): A space program based on criteria set forth in this
document and specific information about Concept of Operations, workload projections
and staffing levels authorized.
P. Room Efficiency Factor: A factor that provides flexibility in the utilization of a room to
account for patient delays, scheduling conflicts, and equipment maintenance.
Common factors are in the 80 to 85% range. A room with 80% room efficiency
provides a buffer to assume that this room would be available 20% of the time
beyond the planned operational practices of the room. This factor may be adjusted
based on the actual and/or anticipated operations and processes of the room /
department.
Q. SEPS (VA-SEPS): Acronym for Space and Equipment Planning System, a digital tool
developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans
Affairs to generate a Program for Design (PFD) and an Equipment List for a VA
healthcare project based on specific information entered in response to Input Data
Audiology and Speech Pathology (Chapter 204): Page 204-3 of 14
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