Size of Operating Rooms
General Comments: In renovation situations, there may not be sufficient space to provide the recommended sizes of Operating
Rooms. In such instances, concurrence of the VA Surgical Office should be obtained before proceeding further in the design
process. Recessed wall storage cabinets, if requested, should be in addition to the square footage noted for each Operating Room.
These cabinets should be used for storage of routine supplies only. When the provision of substantial numbers of storage cabinets in
each Operating Room is the desire of the local staff, then the space in the clean core reserved for exchange carts with sterile
supplies on them can be reduced.
General Operating Room: This includes Operating Rooms for general surgery, ENT surgery, eye surgery, neurosurgery, orthopedic
surgery and plastic surgery. Ideally, a General Operating Room should be 650 net square feet (60.45 net square meters) with a
minimum dimension of 25.0 feet (7.63 meters), but not less than 450 net square feet (41.85 net square meters) with a minimum
dimension of 21.0 feet (6.41 meters), but not less than 600 net square feet (55.80 net square meters). For Cardiac Operating
Rooms, minimum is 700 net square feet (65.11 net square meters).
Special Purpose Operating Room: This room is mainly for cardiovascular surgery, but may be used for any other special surgery
which requires this larger room. The Special Purpose Operating Room should not be larger than 800 net square feet (74.40 net
square meters) with a minimum dimension of 26.0 feet (7.93 meters).
Ceiling Height in an Operating Room
The finished ceiling height of an Operating Room should be 10.0 feet (3.05 meters) above the floor. Any height less than this is
considered a compromise that is not acceptable.
Post Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
The PACU is utilized immediately after surgery for patients recovering from anesthesia. Patient vital signs are monitored until the
patient regains consciousness and discharge criteria are met. At this time, the patient may be transferred to the appropriate
post-operative unit.
PACUs are typically arranged with patient cubicles around a Central Nursing Station. The minimum width of each cubicle should be
9.0 feet (2.75 meters). It is recommended that the ratio of one PACU station to one Operating Room be used. The ratio of PACU
stations may be increased based on the surgical load or if other departments utilize the PACU for recovery of their patients.
Design Guide - Surgical Service
Narrative
Guide Plate:
2h
Page 8 of 14
Date: August 2005
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