Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 233)
Washington, DC 20420
November 2006
P Visual Fields: The area or extent of physical space visible to an eye in a given
position. Its average extent is approximately 65 degrees upward, 75 degrees
downward, 60 degrees inward, and 95 degrees outward when the eye is in the
straightforward position.
Q 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 Eye Clinic 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 Eye Clinic equipment is determined by VACO and
upon Veterans Health Administration (VHA) anticipated medical needs.
D 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
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 Optometry is 80% (affiliated/non-affiliated).
The Efficiency Factor for Ophthalmology is 70% (affiliated/non-affiliated).
3
Average length of procedure for affiliated Optometry and Ophthalmology is 40
minutes, and for non-affiliated Optometry and Ophthalmology is 32 minutes.
Example: Assume an exam / treatment room for Optometry that averages 40
minutes per clinic stop:
Eye Clinic (Chapter 233): Page 233-4 of 15
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