Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 261)
Washington, DC 20420
December 2006
G. 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.
H. 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 estimated model of
operation for the facility. This information is processed through mathematical and logical
operations in VA-SEPS.
I.
Net-to-department-gross (NTDG): A parameter, determined by the VA for each criteria
chapter, used to convert the programmed Net Square Foot (NSF) area to the
Department Gross Square Foot (DGSF) area. The Departmental Conversion Factor
for this chapter is 1.45.
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 all VA space planning criteria for health
care. 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 are
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.
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