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

5.9 Standing Support Recommendations for M304 Diagnostic Equipment Used by Patients in a Standing Position

Description: Many people who ambulate with a disability need support to maintain position and balance on diagnostic equipment used by patients in a standing position. The proposed provision requires standing supports be provided on each side of the standing surface. These standing supports may be provided in a horizontal position, vertical position, or a combination of horizontal and vertical positions, as long as the minimum length of gripping surface is provided for the support position used on each side of the standing surface.

NPRM Proposed Provision: M304.3 Standing Supports. Standing supports shall be provided on each side of the standing surface and shall comply with M305.3.

5.9.1 Standing Supports Recommendation In Reference To Mammography Equipment

The Committee recommends removing the requirement for standing supports on mammography equipment. Instead, positioning supports should be required. To be useful, positioning supports must be shaped for grasping, positioned within reach range of all users, and be 12 inches long minimum when located on the moving c-arm or 18 inches long minimum when in a fixed location.

Rationale for recommendation

The original criteria proposed in the NPRM included vertical standing supports on both sides of the equipment that were 18 inches in length. During discussion, there was general agreement that the real use of these supports is for positioning, and thus, not meant to support the full weight of the patient or to keep a patient in a standing position during the exam. Industry representatives posited that if a patient has limitations or balance issues severe enough to need standing assistance, then the healthcare provider should position her in a seated position for safe imaging. The primary use of these supports is for positioning of the arms during the imaging process to keep them out of the field of view of the image. For these purposes, the equipment criteria should designate these supports as positioning supports and be designed with the structural strength required for positioning activities.

Furthermore, since the supports mount to the c-arm on many types of mammography equipment, they will move up and down with the breast platform. In these cases, they do not need to be as long as 18 inches to provide sufficient flexibility for patients to reach them. Industry representatives also indicated that there are controls in the area where these positioning supports are located. It is important that the patients’ hands do not accidentally hit these controls when they are holding the positioning supports. For this reason, industry will sometimes intentionally shorten the length of these handholds to less than the 18-inch proposal. Considering these factors, the full Committee agreed that a 12-inch long positioning support would be sufficient if it moved with the movable breast platform.

5.9.2 Standing Supports on Ramped Entry Raised Platforms with Wheelchair Spaces Recommendations

5.9.2.1 Standing Supports on Single Ramped Entry Raised Platforms with Wheelchair Spaces Recommendations

The Committee recommends standing supports located on both sides of platforms, a minimum of 34 inches between supports, integrated into the platform, and 32-inch minimum length (at least 80% of the platform length) at the platform entry edge for a single ramp entry raised platform.

Rationale for the recommendation

The Committee recommends placement of standing supports on both sides for single ramp entry to a raised platform because the supports add safety. The user can hold onto something for stability when accessing or exiting the scale. Standing supports can also act as a guide to help the user to better position her or himself onto the platform.

A 34-inch minimum width between the supports will allow for adequate elbow space for a user of a wheeled mobility device to push the wheels onto the platform and does not infringe on the 32-inch platform.

A standing support must integrate into the platform so it does not interfere with weight accuracy.

The length of the standing supports must be 80% of the platform length or 32-inches minimum, from the platform entry edge. This dimension allows a user to grab it from any point on the platform. This dimension allows use during accessing the platform, positioning on the platform, and provides guidance during exiting (backing out) of the platform.

5.9.2.2 Standing Supports on Dual Ramped Entry Raised Platforms with Wheelchair Spaces Recommendations

The Committee recommends standing supports located on one side of the platform, integrated into the platform and stretching the full length of the platform (40-inch minimum) for dual ramped entry raised platforms.

Rationale for the recommendation

Users need to access either side of the ramp for entry. An individual accessing the ramp may have only one usable side due to conditions such as a stroke, or right or left side paralysis or weakness etc. The user can choose which side of the ramp to enter on and use the standing support as needed to help guide and position himself onto the scale platform.

A standing support must integrate into the platform so that it does not interfere with weight accuracy. The standing support spanning the full length of the platform, 40-inches minimum will provide maximum platform coverage for added safety and stability to users. The user can grab onto the standing support, gain access to the platform, position, and exit the platform.