Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 222)
Washington, D.C. 20402
November 2006
I.
Net-to-department gross factor (NTDG): A factor that, when multiplied by the
programmed Net Square Foot (NSF) area, determines the Departmental Gross
Square Feet (DGSF). The NTDG factor adopted for Dental Service is 1.55.
J. Program for Design (PFD): A space program generated by SEPS II based on criteria
set forth in this document and specific information about Concept of Operations,
Workload projections and Staffing levels authorized.
K. 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.
L. 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 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.
M. 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. These workload
projections are generated by methodology based upon the expected veteran
population in the respective market / service area. Space planners working on new
or renovation projects for VA medical centers, hospitals or outpatient clinics, shall use
those projections in conjunction with the criteria parameters set forth herein to
generate a space program.
B. Space Planning Criteria have been developed on the basis of an understanding of the
activities involved in the functional areas of Dental Service and their relationship with
other services of a medical facility. These criteria are based on established and/or
anticipated best practice standards as adapted to provide environments supporting
the highest quality health care for Veterans.
C. These criteria are based on established and anticipated standards, which are subject
to modification relative to development in the standards of practice, equipment,
vendor requirements, and healthcare planning and design developments.
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