Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Handbook 7610 (277)
Washington, DC 20420
June, 2006
O. Treatment Planning Unit: In the planning unit, the planning of the patient's treatment
is determined by precisely locating the diseased areas and deciding the best method
of treatment.
P. 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.
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 medical centers, hospitals or satellite outpatient clinics, shall utilize
workload criteria set forth herein to generate a space program for each project.
B. Space planning criteria have been developed on the basis of an understanding of the
activities involved in the functional areas of the Radiation Therapy Service and their
relationship with other services of a medical facility. These criteria are based on
established and/or anticipated best practice standards as adapted to provide
environments supporting the highest quality health care for Veterans.
C. These criteria are based on established and anticipated standards, which are subject
to modification relative to development in the equipment, medical practice, vendor
requirements, and healthcare planning and design developments. The final selection
of medical equipment for Radiation Therapy is approved by VACO Radiology Service
based upon Veterans Health Administration (VHA) anticipated medical needs.
D. Authorization for Radiation Therapy will be determined on an individual project basis
and conditional on workload projections and availability of contractual or shared
services with local community, federal or university facilities. Selection of types of
therapy treatment systems and staffing requirements will be provided by VHA.
E. Radiation Therapy Services, as used in these criteria, includes the diagnostic imaging
modality of Radiation Therapy, CT Simulation and Ultrasound when applicable.
F. Room capacity per year should be based on:
Operating days per year x Hours of operation per day
= Number of
Minutes per procedure / 60 minutes
annual procedures
1. The general planning model for VA facilities assumes 250 Operating Days per
Year and 8 Hours of Operation per Day. Room capacity will fluctuate as hours of
operation are modified, i.e., additional capacity may be generated by extending
the daily hours of operation within the same physical setting.
Radiation Therapy Service (Chapter 277): Page 4 of 17
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