Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (265)
Washington, DC 20420
June 2006
E Input Data Statement: 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. This information is processed through mathematical and logical operations in
VA-SEPS.
F
Medical Administration Services (MAS): For the purposes of these criteria denotes
spaces for integral administrative functions of an Outpatient Clinic, and may have
different designations throughout VA facilities.
G Net-to-department gross factor (NTDG): This number, when multiplied by the
programmed net square foot (NSF) area, determines the departmental gross square feet
(DGSF) The NTDG factor adopted for Outpatient Clinic is 1.65.
H Outpatient Clinic: An Outpatient Clinic is a freestanding ambulatory care facility that is
physically separated but administratively attached to a VA medical center commonly
referred to as a "parent facility". It is usually located in a highly populated area so that a
large concentration of veterans may obtain primary, secondary, and in some cases
tertiary outpatient health care services
I
Program for Design (PFD): A space program based on criteria set forth in this document
and specific information about Concept of Operations, Workload projections and Staffing
levels authorized.
J
Provider (Primary/Specialty Care): A medical professional, such as a physician, nurse
practitioner, or physician assistant, who provides care in the Outpatient Clinic.
K 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 Statements. VA-
SEPS incorporates the propositions set forth in this chapter as well as all chapters in
VA's Handbook 7610. VA-SEPS has been designed to aid healthcare planners in
creating a space plan based on a standardized set of criteria parameters.
L
Visit: (Outpatient Clinic): Patient arrivals and/or a "stop" at the main reception desk.
Patients may have multiple clinic stops during one Outpatient Visit
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. Workload projections are generated
by methodology based upon the expected veteran population in the respective market /
service area. Health care planners working on new or renovation projects for VA
Outpatient Clinic (Chapter 265): Page 5 of 65
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