Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 212)
Washington, D.C. 20402
December 2006
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 Pulmonary Medicine 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 Pulmonary Medicine equipment is determined by
VACO and upon Veterans Health Administration (VHA) anticipated medical needs.
D. Pulmonary Medicine may be integrated with Non-Invasive Cardiology Services,
Respiratory Care, Endoscopy, or Ambulatory Surgery for patient convenience and for
opportunities for cross training of staff.
E. Room capacity per year should be based on:
Operating days per year x Hours of operation per day
= Number of
Minutes per procedure / 60 minutes
annual procedures
1. 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.
2. The Basic Room Efficiency Factor for Pulmonary Medicine Service is 80%.
Example: Assume a modality room that averages 90 minute per procedure /
suite stop:
250 operating days per year x 8 hours of operation per day
= 1,330 annual
90 minutes per procedure / 60 minutes
procedures
A maximum capacity of 1,330 procedures / suite stops per year, assuming
100% utilization. However, 100% utilization is not realistic to achieve, thus, it
is not an accurate design standard. Apply Room Efficiency Factor:
1,330 x 80% = 1,070 annual procedures.
Pulmonary Medicine (Chapter 212): Page: 4 of 12
Previous Page
