Department Of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 287)
Washington, D.C. 20402
November 2006
B. Design various procedure rooms (requiring similar NSF/area) to maximize utilization
and provide flexibility to accommodate varying caseload mix.
C. The basic Endoscopy Suite will consist of the following: a reception/waiting area,
preparation and recovery area, EGD/Colonoscopy procedure rooms, scope wash
room, scope storage, clean and soiled utility rooms, dictation/viewing room, head
nurse office, and housekeeping aids closet (HAC). The overall department should be
configured to avoid the mix of patient and service functions; and to maintain the
separation of clean and dirty functions to avoid cross contamination.
D. Plan Endoscopy Suite with connecting corridors to allow internal circulation of
patients and staff; avoid crossing public circulation patterns to the greatest extent
possible.
E. Sigmoidoscopy and Proctoscopy procedures may be performed in exam / treatment
and special procedures rooms in other clinical areas, because they do not require as
much space, equipment, support, or patient recovery as other endoscopic
procedures. However, based on total patient volume, these procedures should be
performed in the Endoscopy suite.
F. The physical design of the suite must meet patient privacy and patient rights
requirements as well as employee safety and ergonomics standards.
G. Areas such as reception, waiting, patient changing and recovery and doctors dictation
may be combined with clinics, such as the Surgical Clinic, whenever they are co-
located.
H. Provide three prep/recovery bays per each procedure room to best support high-
volume short procedure length patient throughput and maximize procedure room
time. For programs for limited volumes, where feasible, Digestive Disease patient
recovery should be combined with the Surgical PAR (Post-Anesthesia Recovery) unit
to achieve operational efficiency.
I.
Each cubicle in prep / recovery should not be less than a minimum of eight (8') wide
cubicles may be separated by walls (enhancing privacy) or separated by curtains
suspended from the ceiling.
J. Provide outpatient intake and processing areas separate from inpatient circulation
and holding areas when both patient types utilize the same department and / or
procedure rooms.
K. Verify room sizes and equipment layouts with equipment vendors prior to finalizing
room layouts.
L. Patient check-in should be located adjacent to the waiting area while maintaining
patient confidentiality. In a larger suite, the waiting area should be sub-divided into
smaller areas; either by the use of partitions or by the placement of furniture.
M. Patient waiting and public areas should be organized in conjunction with a patient
circulation element, which provides separate access to diagnostic rooms and
dressing rooms.
Digestive Diseases Endoscopy Suite (Chapter 287): Page 287-13 of 16
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