The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board has issued a final rule to remove the sunset provisions in the board’s existing accessibility standards for medical diagnostic equipment related to the low height specifications for transfer surfaces, and replace them with a final specification for the low transfer height of medical diagnostic equipment used in the supine, prone, side-lying, and the seated position.
The final rule is effective September 23, 2024.
“The Access Board issues this final rule to amend 36 CFR part 1195 to establish a 17-inch low transfer height specification for transfer surfaces of medical diagnostic equipment used in the supine, prone, side-lying, and seated position. This final rule also removes the sunset provisions at 36 CFR 1195.1, appendix, M301.2.2 and M302.2.2, that were promulgated in 2017 to allow the Board additional time to determine the appropriate low height specification,” according to FederalRegister.gov.
The Access Board received one comment from a health care system, Sutter Health, a not-for-profit health delivery system that operates 24 acute care hospitals and 200 clinics in Northern California. Sutter Health supports the change to a 17-inch low transfer height and noted that this change will “improve access for people with disabilities.” Sutter Health also explained that some manufacturers already produce medical equipment that meets this slightly stricter standard, and that its “healthcare system has already made the 17” low height transfer surface [its] standard for purchasing accessible medical equipment, and [it is] very pleased with the results.” Sutter Health further stated, “Cost has not been an issue.” Comment of Sutter Health, available at https://www.regulations.gov/comment/ATBCB-2023-0001-0065 (last visited Dec. 4, 2023).
This final rule is not a major rule within the meaning of the Congressional Review Act (5 U.S.C. 801 et seq.)
For more information, vist https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/07/25/2024-16266/standards-for-accessible-medical-diagnostic-equipment
