Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 316)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
I.
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, and Residency Program.
J. Hemodialysis (also Haemodialysis): The form of renal dialysis typically conducted in
a Dialysis Center. Hemodialysis relies on convective transport of a dialysate and
utilizes counter-current flow, where the dialysate is flowing in the opposite direction to
blood flow in an extracorporeal circuit.
K. Input Data Statements: 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 for the facility. This information is processed through
mathematical and logical operations in VA-SEPS.
L. Pathophysiology: The study of the disturbance of normal mechanical, physical, and
biochemical functions which a disease causes or which cause a disease.
M. Peritoneal Dialysis (PD): A form of renal dialysis typically done in the patient's home
and/or workplace. PD is based on the principle that the peritoneal membrane which
surrounds the intestine can act as a natural semipermeable membrane and that, if a
dialysate is instilled within the membrane through a catheter, intracorporeal dialysis
can occur by diffusion.
N. Program for Design (PFD): A space program based on criteria set forth in this
document and specific information about Concept of Operations, workload projections
and staffing levels authorized.
O. Room Efficiency Factor: A factor that provides flexibility in the utilization of a room to
account for patient delays, scheduling conflicts, and equipment maintenance.
Common factors are in the 80 to 85% range. A room with 80% room efficiency
provides a buffer to assume that this room would be available 20% of the time
beyond the planned operational practices of the room. This factor may be adjusted
based on the actual and/or anticipated operations and processes of the room /
department.
P. SEPS (VA-SEPS): Acronym for Space and Equipment Planning System, a digital tool
developed by the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Veterans
Affairs to generate a Program for Design (PFD) and an Equipment List for a VA
healthcare project based on specific information entered in response to Input Data
Questions. VA-SEPS incorporates the propositions set forth in all VA Space Planning
Criteria chapters. VA-SEPS has been designed to aid healthcare planners in creating
a space plan based on a standardized set of criteria parameters.
Q. Water Treatment: Dialysis water treatment implies various levels of pre-treatment
and a final purification module prior to distribution of purified water through a
hydraulic circuit.
Dialysis Center (316): Page 3 of 15
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