Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 286)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
Minimum NSF. Provide an additional 6 NSF per Technician FTE position
authorized greater than thirteen. Provide one-way changing flow from Staff
Entrance to semi-restricted area.
23. Toilet, Staff (TLTU1) .................................................................50 NSF (4.7 NSM)
Divide the total FTE positions authorized by 15. Provide one toilet for each whole
increment. Minimum of 5 authorized FTE positions to provide a toilet. Adjacent to
Staff Lockers.
G. Ambulatory Surgery Support Areas
1. Changing Rooms, Patient (xxxxx) .........................................60 NSF ( 5.6 NSM)
Provide three. Provide one additional per OR greater than two.
2. Toilet, Public (XXXXX) .............................................................50 NSF (4.7 NSM)
Provide one for male and one for female.
6
PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A. Departmental Net-to-Gross factor (DNTG) for Surgical Service is 1.60. This number
when multiplied by the programmed net square foot (NSF) area determines the
departmental gross square feet.
B. The number of operating rooms and recovery beds and sizes of the support areas
shall be based on the expected surgical workload.
C. The surgical layout shall be located and arranged to prevent non-related traffic
through the suite.
D. The operating room suite will be designed with a sterile core to have no cross traffic
of clean supplies and soiled/decontaminated areas. Flow of clean and
soiled/decontaminated supplies and equipment to suite itself shall be designed to not
compromise universal precautions or aseptic techniques.
E. Operating Rooms can be arranged in multiple ways depending on organizational
concepts. Refer to sketches 1, 2, 3 and 4 for further definitions of these concepts.
One of those concepts is to be chosen based on existing or proposed space
available. Review these sketches with planning team members. Chosen method can
be further defined in future directives.
F. The location of Operating Suite elements for advanced and proper flow of patients,
materials and staff: refer to sketch 5 for a typical layout.
G. The surgical suite will be divided into three distinct areas; unrestricted, semi-
restricted, and restricted.
a. Unrestricted: Street clothes are permitted, and the area to have control point
for monitoring entry for patients, staff, and materials.
b. Semi-restricted: Surgical attire is required, and traffic is limited to authorized
personnel. Storage and work areas for processing of instruments and
corridors leading to the restricted areas are included.
Surgical Service (Chapter 286): Page 13 of 20
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