DESIGN ALERT ON PATIENT WALL SYSTEM S
ISSUE:
New revised master construction specification section 16685 on patient wall systems.
BACKGROUND:
Due to a number of complaints from the vendors and the medical centers this section
has been revised. The medical centers complained that the present specification does
not provide enough flexibilty for them in the use of PBPUs (Prefabricated Bedside
Patient Units) in the patient care areas, and the Vendors complained that the
specification is not open enough for more competition which could provide cost savings for
VA.
RECOMMENDATIONS/CONCLUSION:
The master specification has been revised to address above concerns:
1. The vendors will be able to bid in compliance with drawings and specifications based
on their product with a stipulation that the final layout of each style of patient wall system
will be determined by VA during construction stage. This will provide a total flexibility for
the medical centers to get the location of services such as medical gases, nurse call,
and electrical receptacles etc. where they want.
2. Spec writer notes have been added alerting the consultants not to modify certain
paragraphs developed to ensure competition between various manufactueres.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFOR MATION:
Contact Satish Sehgal at 202.565.5032 in the Standards Service (187C).
11 January 1995
FM-187C-DA29
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