Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 210)
Washington, D.C. 20402
December 2006
esophagus is right behind the heart, and images from TEE can give very clear
pictures of the heart and its structure.
AA. Ultrasound: High frequency sound waves are utilized to determine the size and
shape of organs based on the differential rates of reflection. In addition, images
can be observed in real time to reveal motion, and can include coloration of
arterial and venous blood flow.
BB. Workload: Workload is the anticipated number of procedures or suite stops that
is processed through a department/service area. The total workload applied to
departmental operational assumptions will determine overall room requirements
by modality.
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. Healthcare 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 and
modalities 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 the Cardiovascular
Laboratories 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, medical practice, vendor requirements, and subsequent planning
and design. The selection of the size and type of the Cardiovascular
Laboratories equipment is determined by VACO and upon Veterans Health
Administration (VHA) anticipated medical needs.
1. Room capacity per year should be based on:
Operating days per year x Hours of operation per day
= Number of
Minutes per clinic stop / 60 minutes
annual clinic stops
The general planning model for VA facilities assumes 250 Operating
Days per Year and 8 Hours of Operation per Day. Room capacity will
fluctuate as hours of operation are modified, i.e., additional capacity may
be generated by extending the daily hours of operation within the same
physical setting.
The Room Efficiency Factor for Cardiovascular Laboratories is 80%.
Cardiovascular Laboratories (Chapter 210): Page 210-5 of 16
Previous Page
