Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 274)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document provides Space Planning Criteria for Chapter 274: Quarters, On-Call.
It applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
B. Quarters include sleeping space with bath and auxiliary areas for use by
residents and/or physicians. On-call facilities specifically provided for
intensive care units, ambulatory care and Surgical Service are not included in
this chapter.
2
DEFINITIONS
A. Affiliated Program: An arrangement whereby a school of medicine agrees to staff a
VA facility with faculty physicians, residents and interns / externs. In return, the VA
provides the medical school with a venue to train new physicians. In this
arrangement, the VA retains responsibility for the care of its patients while the school
of medicine retains responsibility for all graduate level education and training.
B. Concept of Operations: A user-developed guide to the functional operation of the VA
healthcare facility. It defines the function of the facility and the scope of medical
services to be provided in the new or remodeled space.
C. Departmental Net to Gross (DNTG) Conversion Factor: A parameter, determined by
the VA for each space planning criteria chapter, used to convert the programmed Net
Square Foot (NSF) area to the Department Gross Square Foot (DGSF) area. The
DNTG Departmental Conversion Factor for Quarters On Call is 1.30.
D. Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): A staffing parameter equal to the amount of time
assigned to one full time employee. It may be composed of several part-time
employees whose total time commitment equals that of a full-time employee. One
FTE equals a 40 hours per week.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. Quarters, On-Call: A program designed to provide sleeping space with bath and
auxiliary areas for use by residents and/or physicians. On-call facilities specifically
Quarters, On-Call (274): Page 2 of 6
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