Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 226)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 226:
Electroencephalography Laboratory. It applies to all medical facilities at the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
B. Electroencephalography (EEG) is a method of graphically recording the electrical
activities along the cerebral cortex, by means of electrodes applied to the scalp.
1. This chapter applies specifically to equipment and facilities in a fixed location
visited by patients. It does not include facilities of a portable nature for
transporting to the patient or as used in neurological surgery.
2
DEFINITIONS
A. Clinic Stop: A clinic stop is one encounter of a patient with a healthcare provider.
Per these criteria, the clinic stop is the workload unit of measure for space planning.
One individual patient can have multiple Clinic Stops in a single visit or in one day.
B. 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.
C. 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 Electroencephalography Laboratory is
1.50.
D. Electroencephalography (EEG): A neurophysiologic measurement method which
graphically records the electrical activities of the brain along the cerebral cortex from
electrodes applied to the scalp. Electrical currents are not measured, but rather
voltage differences among different parts of the brain. The resulting traces are known
as an Electroencephalogram (also EEG) and represent the postsynaptic potentials
(electrical signals) from a large number of neurons. The EEG is a brain function test,
and in clinical use it is a correlate of brain activity which recordings are used in the
diagnosis of epilepsy, trauma, tumor, and other brain diseases.
E. 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.
F. Functional Area: The grouping of rooms and spaces based on their function within a
clinical service. Typical Functional Areas are Reception Areas, Patient Areas, Support
Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas, and Residency Program.
G. 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
Electroencephalography Laboratory (226): Page 2 of 10
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