Department of Veterans Affairs
VA Space Planning Criteria (Chapter 402)
Washington, DC 20420
February 2007
6
PLANNING AND DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
A Departmental net-to-gross gross factor (DNTG) for Educational Facilities is 1.30. This
number when multiplied by the programmed net square foot (NSF) area determines
the departmental gross square feet.
B. Space shall be configured and available to provide for both individual and interactive
group education.
C. Space to contain the basic computer/software configuration to host satellite
broadcasts, video to the desk-top, V-tel, and web-based learning.
D. Space to be provided away from individual work-stations so employees can have
uninterrupted time devoted to education.
E. Clinical trainees, such as physician residents on inpatient rotations, who are involved
in direct patient care, to have workrooms configured to support all types of education
and defined medical and information technology to support the treatment of patients.
This space should be in close proximity to patient care areas (i.e., in or near the
assigned inpatient units or wards). Each assigned resident should have sufficient
space to accommodate a computer work-station.
F. Space to be provided in close proximity to other designated educational personnel
such as the Associate Chief of Staff for Education (ACOS/E), Library and Medical
Media to allow for professional guidance. See Library Space, Chapter 400, 5. A. 5.
G. Space to be integrated and flexible to allow for multi-staff use, to accommodate
individual or group educational activities in a variety of capacities. The range of
capacities should be designed for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.
H. Space for educational activities must be flexible and available throughout the facility
to provide multiple options for all employees.
I.
Physician residents and other clinical trainees who are required to take in-hospital
"call" must be provided with suitable on call sleeping quarters and other appropriate
space (e.g., bathrooms with showers) within proximity to the sleeping quarters and
within the hospital. On call space to be signed to include space for computer
terminals or workstations.
J. Clinical areas in which trainees are normally present along with supervising
practitioners or attendings should be designed to accommodate more than one
practitioner, while taking into account the need for patient privacy. Such areas may
include procedure rooms, operating rooms, or clinic exam rooms, in which teaching
occurs in conjunction with the provision of clinical care on a regular basis.
Educational Facilities (Chapter 402): Page 12 of 14
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