Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 272)
Washington, DC 20420
December 2006
Patient Areas, Support Areas, Staff and Administrative Areas, and Residency
Program.
I.
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.
J. Group Room: Room where patient activities and counseling sessions are performed.
A typical group room is sized for 10 to 12 patients.
K. 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.
L. Provider: An individual, who examines, diagnoses, treats, prescribes medication and
manages the care of the patients within his or her scope of practice as established by
the governing body of a healthcare organization.
M. 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.
N. Rehabilitation Counselor: An individual who assists patients that have disabilities in
order to maximizing their potential and their independence. Rehabilitation counselors
work with individuals who have a variety of physical, mental and emotional
disabilities. They assist individuals who have disabilities in vocational, independent
living and educational pursuits.
O. 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.
P. 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 VA 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.
Q. 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.
Psychology Service (Chapter 272): Page 272-3 of 9
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