Hello. Please sign in!

Solutions

Documents

Resources

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

CONCLUSION

We recommend that the U.S. Access Board adopt the subcommittee's original recommendations to require an adjustable range of 19 to 25 inches for the transfer surface of examination tables and chairs during patient transfers. This standard will have the most benefits for consumers with the least costs for health care providers. In addition, it will build on the growing percentage of providers voluntarily purchasing accessible, adjustable height tables.

APPENDIX A

Excerpt from the MDE Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes, February 26 and 27, 2013:31 

Manufacturer Presentations

Several manufacturers presented information on technical and cost considerations for exam tables and chairs as requested at the preceding advisory committee meeting. Darren Walters, MTI and Bob Menke, Midmark Corporation led these presentations. The first presentation addressed a number of performance and efficacy considerations for examination chairs focusing on lifting mechanisms to adjust seat height, impact of height on the health care practitioner, and the relationship of exam chair footrests to seat height. The presentation revisited some of the recommendations made at the January meeting by the practitioners and clinicians about acceptable transfer surface heights. A key point was made that, while it may be technically possible for an exam chair to go even lower than what the committee is considering, there may be undesirable and unintended consequences. Benefits and limitations of the telescoping, scissor and cantilevered lift systems were reviewed. Concerns were voiced that lowering the equipment could affect the equipment effectiveness and positioning for proper exams. The committee discussed at length the different lifting systems used for adjustable height equipment and the viability of achieving the heights being considered. The presentation referred to relevant requirements for height in the ADA and ABA Accessibility Guidelines and guidance adopted by the US Department of Justice.

The afternoon presentation focused on the cost and benefit analysis based on the implementation of key provisions in the proposed Standard affecting exam tables. The presentation covered the present availability of accessible height adjustable exam tables and how this would change in the future with different scenarios based on the low heights being considered for the transfer surface. The presentation also emphasized that 18% of existing rooms in the United States are equipped with adjustable height tables that can achieve a 19 inches low height providing a head start to maximize the availability of accessible rooms at a lower cost if the 19 inches is adopted as the standard. Committee discussions were interspersed between segments of the presentation with consideration given to research methodology, the baselines used, and health care practice issues affecting the selection and purchase of diagnostic equipment. A key issue addressed in the presentation is that no adjustable height exam tables are currently available that lower to 17 inches above the floor.

Discussions during and after the presentations did not produce consensus about the minimum transfer surface height. The committee decided to refer the issue to the Exam Tables and Chairs subcommittee for further review and discussion. The full committee will then consider the Subcommittee’s recommendation.

 

NOTES

31. Full meeting minutes are available at http://www.access-board.gov/guidelines-and-standards/health-care/about-this-rulemaking/background/committee-meetings/minutes-february-26-and-27,-2013

APPENDIX B

Presentation given by Bob Menke, Midmark Corporation, at the February 27, 2013 Advisory Committee Meeting:

Two slides from a presentation given by Midmark to the MDE Advisory Committee. One is the introductory slide with the title of the presentation, ""Examination Table Accessibility Standards", who it was being presented to and the date. The second slide gives an overview of the presentation.
Two slides from a presentation given by Midmark to the MDE Advisory Committee. One is the introductory slide with the title of the presentation, ""Examination Table Accessibility Standards", who it was being presented to and the date. The second slide gives an overview of the presentation.
Third and fourth slides from Midmark's presentation. Slide three gives information about Bob Menke the Midmark representative and presenter. Slide four shows two current examination table/chair designs that are currently available. A woman in a wheelchair is positioned between the two tables.
Third and fourth slides from Midmark's presentation. Slide three gives information about Bob Menke the Midmark representative and presenter. Slide four shows two current examination table/chair designs that are currently available. A woman in a wheelchair is positioned between the two tables.
Slide 5 contains information on the methodology used in determining the height of current examination tables. Slide 6 contains the table height from the proposed MDE Standard.
Slide 5 contains information on the methodology used in determining the height of current examination tables. Slide 6 contains the table height from the proposed MDE Standard.
Slide 7 contains the existing height requirements from the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines. Slide 8 contains a graph depicting the types of examination tables sold between 2005 and 2012. The y axis indicates the percent of tables sold that are adjustable height (blue) and fixed height (red). The x axis indicates the quarter and year of the data (e.g., first quarter in 2005, extreme left).
Slide 7 contains the existing height requirements from the ADA/ABA Accessibility Guidelines. Slide 8 contains a graph depicting the types of examination tables sold between 2005 and 2012. The y axis indicates the percent of tables sold that are adjustable height (blue) and fixed height (red). The x axis indicates the quarter and year of the data (e.g., first quarter in 2005, extreme left).
Slide 9 contains a graph showing sales percentages of fixed height versus manual medical tables. Slide 10 contains a graph showing how the health system has been shifting to adjustable height tables.
Slide 9 contains a graph showing sales percentages of fixed height versus manual medical tables. Slide 10 contains a graph showing how the health system has been shifting to adjustable height tables.
Slide 11 shows what the current population of tables. Slide 12 compare what the NPRM proposed to what the committee agreed to for the width of the transfer surface.
Slide 11 shows what the current population of tables. Slide 12 compare what the NPRM proposed to what the committee agreed to for the width of the transfer surface.
Slide 13 shows the weight capacity for current tables. Slide 14 shows the NPRM proposal for the depth of the transfer surface and what the committee agreed to.
Slide 13 shows the weight capacity for current tables. Slide 14 shows the NPRM proposal for the depth of the transfer surface and what the committee agreed to.
Slide 15 shows the NPRM proposal for transfer supports and armrest and what the committee agreed to. Slide 16 gives a summary of the current environment for tables height, transfer width, transfer depth, and armrests.
Slide 15 shows the NPRM proposal for transfer supports and armrest and what the committee agreed to. Slide 16 gives a summary of the current environment for tables height, transfer width, transfer depth, and armrests.
Slide 17: Benefits and Costs. Slide 18: Goals - Maximize percentage of available accessible tables; minimize cost to health care providers.
Slide 17: Benefits and Costs. Slide 18: Goals - Maximize percentage of available accessible tables; minimize cost to health care providers.
Slide 19 contains financial assumptions and slide 20 contains an overview of what contributes to the cost to the provider.
Slide 19 contains financial assumptions and slide 20 contains an overview of what contributes to the cost to the provider.
Slide 21 contains current cost of the equipment and cost with recommended changes. Slide 22 contains cost date for lowering the minimum table height
Slide 21 contains current cost of the equipment and cost with recommended changes. Slide 22 contains cost date for lowering the minimum table height
Slide 23 contains cost increases to add transfer and leg supports. Slide 24 contains possible scoping scenarios for when the Standard is adopted by a standard setting agency.
Slide 23 contains cost increases to add transfer and leg supports. Slide 24 contains possible scoping scenarios for when the Standard is adopted by a standard setting agency.
Slide 25 contains pricing for possible scenarios and slide 26 contains a benefits and cost summary.
Slide 25 contains pricing for possible scenarios and slide 26 contains a benefits and cost summary.
Slide 27 contains additional information on the benefits and costs and slide 28 is a introductory slide for the summary of findings and recommendations.
Slide 27 contains additional information on the benefits and costs and slide 28 is a introductory slide for the summary of findings and recommendations.
Slide 29 contains summary of current environment compared to the committee recommendations for width and depth and showing the low height remaining at 17 to 19. Slide 30 shows a summary of costs and benefits.
Slide 29 contains summary of current environment compared to the committee recommendations for width and depth and showing the low height remaining at 17 to 19. Slide 30 shows a summary of costs and benefits.
Slide 31 contains recommendations and slide 32 states back-up slides.
Slide 31 contains recommendations and slide 32 states back-up slides.
Slide 33 contains weight data and slide 34 contains market projection with baseline scenarios.
Slide 33 contains weight data and slide 34 contains market projection with baseline scenarios.
Both slides contain costs of different scoping scenarios.
Both slides contain costs of different scoping scenarios.
.Both slide contain more scenarios and costs.
Both slide contain more scenarios and costs.
Final two slide show more scoping scenarios and cost projections.
Final two slide show more scoping scenarios and cost projections.

Source: Recommendations on Standards for the Design of Medical Diagnostic Equipment for Adults with Disabilities, Advisory Committee Final Report by U.S. Access Board - published 12/06/2013

Previous Next

User Comments/Questions

Add Comment/Question

[MORE INFO...]

*You must sign in to view [MORE INFO...]