Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Handbook 7610 (276)
Washington, DC 20420
June 2006
1
PURPOSE AND SCOPE
A. This document outlines space planning criteria for VA Handbook 7610 Chapter 277:
Radiology Service. It applies to all medical facilities at the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA).
B. Radiology Service includes diagnostic imaging modalities (i.e. General Radiology,
Fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography (CT), Interventional Radiology (IR), Ultrasound,
and Mammography) for inpatients and outpatients and is an ancillary department for the
entire medical facility.
C. Satellite Radiology Suite includes selected high-volume outpatient diagnostic imagining
modalities (i.e. General Radiology, Chest) physically separated from but related to
Radiology Service.
2
DEFINITIONS
A.
Angiographic Room: A radiographic/fluoroscopic system with rapid filming techniques
and with special capabilities for performing angiographic procedures. The system may
be single-plane or bi-plane.
B.
Chest Room - Dedicated: A specific or specialized radiographic room used for routine
chest X-rays and those radiographic procedures which can or should be performed in
an upright position.
C.
Computed Radiology (CR): CR uses special plate technology, scanning and computer
processing to produce a digital image of a patient's organ or body part. This digital
image can be printed to a dry processor, if needed.
D.
Computed Tomography (CT): The technique employing ionizing radiation to produce
axial (cross section) body section images. Data obtained by X-ray transmission
through the patient are computer analyzed to produce these images. The series of
sectional, planar images may be manipulated to produce different planar views of the
area of interest and eliminate overlying structures such as bone. Manipulations of
data allows for the selective view of either dense tissues such as bones or diffuse
tissues such as the heart, brain, or lung. CT is used for both head and body imaging
and is applicable to diagnosis, biopsy, and therapy planning.
E.
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.
F.
Diagnostic Radiology: The medical specialty that utilizes imaging examinations with or
without ionizing radiation to affect diagnosis. Techniques include radiography,
tomography, fluoroscopy, ultrasonography, mammography, interventional radiography
(IR) and computed tomography (CT).
G.
Diagnostic Room: Designated room containing diagnostic equipment performing
patient procedures such as Radiographic, Radiographic/Fluoroscopic (R/F),
Mammography, Ultrasound, Interventional Radiology (IR), and Computed Tomography
Radiology Service (Chapter 276): Page 2 of 28
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