Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 210)
Washington, D.C. 20402
December 2006
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines VA space planning criteria for Chapter 210:
Cardiovascular Laboratories. It applies to all medical facilities at the Department
of Veterans Affairs (VA). Centralized services Heart Center Model
B. Cardiovascular Laboratory Space defined in this chapter provides space for
centralized services based on the Heart Center Model.
2
DEFINITIONS
A.
Blood Gas Analysis: A test, which analyzes arterial blood for oxygen, carbon
dioxide and bicarbonate content in addition to blood pH. It is used to test the
effectiveness of respiration.
B.
Cardiac Catheterization (Cardiac Cath): A cardiac procedure where a thin
plastic tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery or vein in the arm or leg. The
catheter is then advanced into the chambers of the heart, or into the coronary
arteries. This procedure is performed to obtain diagnostic information about the
patient's heart and blood vessels. It may also be used to provide therapeutic
interventions in certain types of heart conditions.
C. Cardiac Stress Test: A cardiac stress test is a medical test performed to
evaluate the ability for arterial blood flow to the myocardium (heart muscle) to
increase during the stress of physical exercise, compared to blood flow while at
rest. As an exercise test, results also reflect overall physical fitness. This test is
ordered as a screening procedure for heart disease. It takes approximately 30
minutes, usually including 6-9 minutes of treadmill walking. Electrodes are
placed on the chest so that the EKG is monitored during the entire exam, while
the physician monitors the patient's blood pressure.
D. Cardiac Stress Test Nuclear: This test follows the same procedure as the
Regular Stress test, with the addition of a nuclear scan. To scan the heart with
a nuclear camera, a small amount of nuclear substance is injected, which acts
as a tracer. This allows the tracking of blood cells as they circulate from the
arteries to the heart muscle. Nuclear images are taken with a Nuclear Medicine
Camera located immediately convenient to the stress test room after the
exercise phase as well as without exercise for comparison.
E.
Cardiology: The study of the heart and its functions.
F.
Clinic Stop: A clinic stop is one encounter of a patient with a healthcare
provider. Per these criteria, the clinic stop is the workload unit of measure for
space planning. One individual patient can have multiple procedure / suite stops
in a single visit or in one day.
G. Clinic Visit: Patient arrival (stop) at the main reception desk. Patients may have
multiple Clinic Stops during one Clinic Visit.
Cardiovascular Laboratories (Chapter 210): Page 210-2 of 16
Previous Page
