Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 260)
Washington, DC 20420
December 2006
H. Psychiatrist: A professional that is licensed as a medical doctor (MD), and can
prescribe medications.
I.
Psychologist: A professional specializing in diagnosing and treating diseases of the
brain, emotional disturbance, and behavior problems. Psychologists can only use talk
therapy as treatment; and are not licensed to prescribe medication.
J. Program for Design (PFD): A space program generated by VA-SEPS based on
criteria set forth in this document and specific information entered 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. 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 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 Mental Health 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.
Mental Health Clinic (Chapter 260): Page 260-3 of 9
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