Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report

5.7.1 Lift Compatibility Clearance in Base for M301

Description: For portable floor lifts to be effective, they must deploy at diagnostic equipment such that the boom of the lifts can maneuver far enough over the equipment to safely lower and raise the patient onto and off examination surfaces. The proposed clearance in the base provision allows the legs of a portable floor lift to fit under the base of the equipment. The proposed clearance around the base provision allows the legs of a portable floor lift to straddle the equipment base.

NPRM Proposed Provision: M301.4.1 Clearance in Base. The base of the equipment shall provide a clearance 44 inches wide minimum, 6 inches high minimum measured from the floor, and 36 inches deep minimum measured from the edge of the examination surface. Where the width of the examination surface is less than 36 inches, the clearance depth shall extend the full width of the equipment. Equipment components are permitted to be located within 8 inches maximum of the centerline of the clearance width.

5.7.1.1 Lift Compatibility Clearance in Base for Stretchers (M301)

The Committee recommends the equipment base provide a clearance of 39 inches wide minimum.

Rationale for the recommendation

The recommendation for stretchers is for a smaller clearance width than the 44-inch minimum for other equipment. The change harmonizes this provision with the international standards. IEC 60601-2-52 provides requirements for stretchers and includes a lift clearance at the 39 inch width.

For stretchers with a shorter wheelbase than “standard,” the clearance for a lift may use both the clearance in the base and the clearance around the base to position the lift around the stretcher for patient transfers. With a short wheelbase, one leg of a portable lift can extend through the base and the second leg can extend around the base. The size of the clearance is still consistent with the proposed recommendation but this illustrates a different use of the space configuration.

5.7.1.2 Lift Compatibility Clearance in Base for Imaging Equipment (M301)

The Committee recommends the use of alternative means of access by an overhead lift in place of clearances in and around the equipment base where portable lifts are not feasible.

Rationale for the recommendation

Overhead lifts can provide an alternate means of access instead of clearances around the bases of imaging equipment required for portable lifts. Table structural design and/or room layout may be such that providing the clearances in and around the base may be either technically difficult or impractical. In these cases, a ceiling-mounted lift may be a better method for some types of imaging equipment because the portable lift would need to access the diagnostic imaging table from the side or far end. Some imaging systems already use overhead lifts to assist patients.

Overhead lifts are not feasible in the MR exam room due to the magnetic fields. Some MR systems currently have detachable tables that can move away from the magnetic field to permit transfer elsewhere. In situations where an overhead lift would be impossible, detachable and portable imaging tables could move to the patient for transfers. A stretcher-based transfer provides another option. A stretcher-based transfer is also an alternate to lift-based transfers in the case of prone breast biopsy tables. This type of transfer effectively and safely achieves the patient position needed for the procedure.

Below is a picture of an existing CT room with a ceiling mounted overhead lift. This may offer flexibility over a portable lift because it can transfer the patient from either side placing the patient in the desired imaging orientation, and the ability to move completely out of the way when not needed.

Figure 5.7.1.2 An existing CT room with a ceiling mounted overhead lift
(SOURCE: GE Healthcare)