First Draft 8-14-96
Revised June 97
Narrative
OVERVIEW:
The provision of health care to veterans has changed dramatically in recent times. When
initially developed, the care for veterans was episodic and inpatient oriented. Changes have
resulted in a shift of care to the outpatient arena with the emphasis on continuity of care. To
facilitate these changes, the Department of Veterans Affairs has developed several types of
clinics which are associated with the VA Medical Centers, but are usually remotely located from
the centers.
Today we must expand the Veterans Health Administration's continuum of clinical service
settings so that patient care can be provided in the most cost-effective setting that is clinically
appropriate. There is also a need to tailor healthcare solutions to local circumstances in the most
cost effective settings. VA Pharmacies tend to be very busy and precise in their operations and
require maximum use of allocated space to allow for efficient functioning and the expected high
level of service to veterans and their families
We must increase VA's outpatient capacity to accommodate the workload shifted from inpatient
to an outpatient setting and to obviate the need for inpatient care as much as possible.
Healthcare solutions will be shifted to local circumstances.
Space Planning:
Space requirements for outpatient pharmacies in VA clinics are based on leased space. There is
a need to develop strategic partnerships with other government agencies and with the private
sector. The VA should seek opportunities for sharing activities with the private sector when doing
so will be cost effective and improve service to VA patients. This will mean an increase in
design-build construction projects. The Facilities Quality Office - Standards Service (187C) of
Veterans Affairs Central Office has developed several Design Guides which will help answer
many of the questions that arise when planning various departments during the transition of VA
from being an inpatient system to one that is rooted in outpatient care. Pharmacy and Satellite
Outpatient Clinic are two of several guides that can be of use to architects, planners, directors,
staff and other interested parties.
Accessibility:
Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) must apply to all new clinics.
Cost:
The outpatient pharmacies will be located in satellite structures which will be simpler structures
than hospitals, and therefore have substantially lower initial first cost. The Pharmacy should be
located near the main entrance for easy access. It should not be near high volume queuing
areas such as Laboratories and Radiology.
.
Interior Design:
Interior design includes space planning, lighting, noise control, privacy issues and safety.
Wayfinding systems include signage, furnishings, and finish selections of color and texture, The
color scheme should be appropriate to the patient, pharmacists, physicians, other staff and the
community. The design must relate and help define the term "high-quality care". The design,
therefore, must balance technological needs and human needs. We must tailor healthcare
solutions to local circumstances expressing the local regional elements to the design, materials,
colors, textures and patterns, as this is a good start towards patient and staff comfort and
satisfaction with the environment.
VA DESIGN PRIMER
OUTPATIENT PHARMACY
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