Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 210)
Washington, D.C. 20402
December 2006
H. Concept of Operations: A user-developed guide to the functional operation of
the VA healthcare facility. It defines the function of the facility and the scope of
medical services to be provided in the new or remodeled space.
I.
Departmental Net to Gross (DNTG) Conversion Factor: A parameter, determined
by the VA for each space planning criteria chapter, used to convert the
programmed Net Square Foot (NSF) area to the Department Gross Square Foot
(DGSF) area. The DNTG Departmental Conversion Factor for Cardiovascular
Laboratories is 1.50.
J.
Echocardiogram (ECHO): A diagnostic test which uses ultrasound waves to
make images of the heart chambers, valves and surrounding structures. It can
measure cardiac output and is a sensitive test for inflammation around the heart
and pericarditis.
K.
Electrocardiogram (EKG): A test that records the electrical activity of the heart,
shows abnormal rhythms (arrhythmias or dysrhythmias), and detects heart
muscle damage.
L.
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 a 40 hours per week.
M. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function
within a clinical or clinical support service. Typical Functional Areas are
Reception Areas, Patient Areas, Support Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas,
and Residency Program.
N. Holter Monitor: A device which measure the heart rhythm during a 24 hour
period of time while the patient records their symptoms and activities in a diary.
A small portable EKG device is worn by the patient. After the test is complete, a
correlation is made between the symptoms (or activities) recorded and the EKG
pattern that was obtained simultaneously.
O. Input Data Statements: 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 for the facility. This information is
processed through mathematical and logical operations in VA-SEPS.
P.
Invasive Cardiology: Procedures that include all invasive Cardiac related
services such as Cardiac Catheterization, Therapeutic Cardiovascular
Procedures, Electrophysiology (EP) and Pacemaker Implantation.
Q. Non-Invasive Cardiology: Procedures that do not penetrate the skin or invade
the body, except for minor needle punctures. Non-Invasive procedures include
EKG, Holter Monitoring, ECHO, Vascular Testing, Ultrasound, and Nuclear
Cardiography.
Cardiovascular Laboratories (Chapter 210): Page 210-3 of 16
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