Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 286)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
J. 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.
K. 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, Residency and / or Externship Program Areas.
L. 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 SEPS.
M. Nurse Manager: This nurse is the administrative supervisor of the entire Operating
Room Suite. She / he is responsible for maintaining the scheduling of patients for
operations, as well as purchasing and maintaining supplies and equipment for use in
the Operating room Suite. The office of the nurse manager is located inside the
Surgical Suite.
N. Nursing Staff: Every surgical procedure is staffed by at least one registered nurse
and scrub personnel. The circulating nurse performs functions outside of the sterile
field in the room.
O. Operating Room (OR): A room designed and equipped to perform a wide variety of
operative procedures. This includes most types of surgical procedures but especially
those involving administration of anesthesia, multiple personnel, recovery room
access, and a fully controlled environment. Operating Rooms can be General
Purpose, including general and neuro surgery, or Special Purpose, including cardio-
vascular and orthopedic surgery, and other surgeries which utilize additional
personnel and/or special equipment requiring a larger space.
P. On-Site Sterilization: Sterilizers for flash sterilization should be located as close as
possible to the Operating Rooms, preferably in a shared space adjacent to the
Operating Rooms with immediate access from the semi-restricted corridor for service.
Q. Perfusionist: This person oversees the operation of the heart / lung machine during
cardiovascular surgery.
R. Phase II Recovery: Post procedure recovery area that is utilized by patients that
have had minor localized anesthesia or who have come out of Phase I Recovery.
Recliner lounge chair are frequently utilized in this area as opposed to patient beds.
S. Scrub Alcoves: The scrub sink alcoves are located in the semi-restricted corridor.
T. Surgical Physician: The surgical team leader (surgeon) is the one under whose
supervision the operation is performed. Assisting the surgeon in major operations are
one or more assistants, frequently the surgical residents.
Surgical Service (Chapter 286): Page 3 of 20
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