Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 212)
Washington, D.C. 20402
December 2006
J. Polysomnography / Sleep Study: The collective process of monitoring and recording
physiologic data during sleep.
K. Program for Design (PFD): A space program generated by VA-SEPS based on
criteria set forth in this document and specific information entered about Concept of
Operations, Workload projections and Staffing levels authorized.
L. Pulmonary Medicine: The branch of medicine that deals with the causes, diagnosis,
prevention and treatment of diseases affecting the lungs.
M. Pulmonary Function Test (PFT): Procedure used for measuring how well the lungs
are working. The most common tests measure the ability of lungs to move air into
and out of the lung.
N. Provider: A provider in Pulmonary Medicine is an individual who examines,
diagnoses, treats, prescribes medication, and manages the care of patients within his
or her scope of practice as established by the governing body of a healthcare
organization. Pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, physicians, physician assistants,
and clinical nurse practitioners are providers.
O. Respiratory Therapy (RT): Exercises and treatments that help patients recover lung
function, such as after surgery.
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
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. Spirometry: Measurement of volume of air inhaled or exhaled by the lung.
S. 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.
T. 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.
Pulmonary Medicine (Chapter 212): Page: 3 of 12
Previous Page
