Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (246)
Washington, DC 20420
March 2007
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 246: Medical
Administration Service (MAS) / Health Administration Service (HAS). This section
provides guidance for the planning of Patient Administration at the medical facility
level. It applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and
includes offices, admissions and dispositions of inpatient and outpatient records
sections.
B. The Medical Administration Services / Health Administration Services Program at the
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center level includes a multiplicity of
administrative/clerical functions (medical records management, telephone
switchboard operation, mail handling, etc.) essential to the effective, overall
management of inpatient and outpatient care. This program generally consists of
functions performed in the following major organizational activities:
1.
Office of the Chief
2.
Health Benefits Section: Centralized Registration Unit
3.
Health Benefits Section: Outpatient Registration
4.
Emergency Care Area (ER)
5.
Health Information Management Section
6.
Ward Administration Section
C. Refer to the following Space Planning Criteria chapters to determine space
requirements for the following:
1. Chapter 262, Ambulatory Care (Hospital Based) MAS/HAS Ambulatory Care
and Processing Section space requirements:
a. Reception Area
b. Examination/Treatment Modules
c. Disposition Area
2. Individual Nursing Unit chapters - Ward Clerk space
a.
Chapter 100, MS&N Nursing Units
b.
Chapter 102, Intensive Care Units
c.
Chapter 104, Spinal Cord Injury
d.
Chapter 106, Nursing Home Care
e.
Chapter 110, Mental Health and Behavioral Patient Care Units
2
DEFINITIONS
A. Administrative Personnel: Administrative personnel are all personnel who do not
counsel, diagnosis, examine or treat patients, but who do work that is essential for the
accomplishment of the mission of a medical treatment facility. This does include
military (assigned and borrowed), contract and civilian personnel. It does not include
volunteers.
Medical Administration Service / Health Administration Services (Chapter 246): Page 2 of 15
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