Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 204)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
Questions. VA-SEPS incorporates the propositions set forth in all VA Space Planning
Criteria chapters. VA-SEPS has been designed to aid healthcare planners in creating
a space plan based on a standardized set of criteria parameters.
R. Speech-Language Pathology: A clinical specialty involving the prevention,
identification, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of speech, language, voice,
fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
S. Speech-Language Pathologist: A health care professional specializing in the
prevention, identification, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of speech,
language, voice, fluency, cognitive, and swallowing disorders.
T. Vestibulography: Vestibulography is a general class of special balance tests including
electronystagmography, videonystagmography, and sinusoidal vertical axis rotational
testing (rotary chair). These tests record nystagmus and eye movements to diagnosis
peripheral and central vestibular disorders.
U. Workload: Workload is the anticipated number of encounters or visits that is
processed through a department/service area. The total workload applied to
departmental operational assumptions will determine overall room requirements.
3
OPERATING RATIONALE AND BASIS OF CRITERIA
A. Workload Projections or planned services / modalities for a specific VA medical
center, hospital or satellite outpatient clinic project are provided by the VA Central
Office (VACO) / VISN CARES Capacity Projection Model. The workload projections
are generated by methodology based upon the expected veteran population in the
respective market / service area. Health care planners working on VA medical
center, hospital or satellite outpatient clinic projects will utilize and apply the workload
based criteria set forth herein for identified services to determine room requirements
for each facility.
B. Space planning criteria have been developed on the basis of an understanding of the
activities involved in the functional areas of Audiology and Speech-Language
Pathology and its relationship with other services of a medical facility. These criteria
are predicated on established and/or anticipated best practice standards, as adapted
to provide environments supporting the highest quality heath care for Veterans.
C. These criteria are subject to modification relative to development in the equipment,
clinical practice, vendor requirements, and subsequent planning and design. The
selection of the size and type of Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology
equipment is determined by VACO and upon Veterans Health Administration (VHA)
anticipated clinical needs.
D. Room capacity per year should be based on:
Operating days per year x Hours of operation per day
= Number of
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