August 20, 1986
VA HANDBOOK 7610 (240)
5. Gross Specimen Storage
a. Level S ....................................................................................................................................... 9.3 NSM (100 NSF)
b. Level M .....................................................................................................................................13.9 NSM (150 NSF)
c. Level L .......................................................................................................................................18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
d. Level VL ....................................................................................................................................27.9 NSM (300 NSF)
6. Housekeeping Aids Closet ...................................................................................................... 3.7 NSM ( 40 NSF)
d. General Services Areas
(1) Patient Specimen Collection Area
This function is required in two areas: within the laboratory, and in the ambulatory
care area of the medical center. This area is especially necessary within Laboratory
Service when the laboratory is located at a distance from the medical center's
primary ambulatory care area. It is utilized in many medical centers for both
inpatients and outpatients during evening hours, when the technical staff is
reduced in number, and not able to leave the laboratory to draw blood specimens.
Its location should be near the main entrance to the laboratory to provide ease of
access for patients with handicaps. It must be also be immediately adjacent to the
Specimen Accessioning and Processing Area to provide efficient transport of
specimen to the CORE lab area.
If the main laboratory is physically located on the same floor as the ambulatory care
area, only one area is necessary. It should be located within the laboratory complex
to provide efficiency and reduce staffing needs.
(a) Patient Waiting Area:
NOTE: If the main laboratory is physically located on the same floor as the
ambulatory care area, o nly one waiting area is necessary, and it should be
located within the laboratory complex to provide efficiency and reduce
staffing.
_____Amb. Care____ _____Main Lab.____
1. Level S ........................ 11.2 NSM (120 NSF) 11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
2. Level M ........................ 13.9 NSM (150 NSF) 11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
3. Level L ......................... 23.2 NSM (250 NSF) 13.9 NSM (150 NSF)
4. Level VL ....................... 23.2 NSM (250 NSF) 18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
(b) Blood Specimen Collection Room:
_____Amb. Care____
_____Main Lab.____
1. Levels M and S ............ 11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
11.2 NSM (120 NSF)
2. Level L ......................... 13.9 NSM (150 NSF)
13.9 NSM (150 NSF)
3. Level VL ....................... 18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
18.6 NSM (200 NSF)
(c) Urine Specimen Toilet (Wheelchair):
This area must be immediately adjacent to Blood Sp ecimen Collection Room so
that technical staff can rapidly attend to needs of patients who need assistance, or
become ill. Locks should not be placed on these doors, and an emergency call
system must be installed for patient use.
240-13
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