Getting to Know the Standards

Exam room equipment can make a crucial difference. For clinics looking to improve patient access and caregiver safety, accessible healthcare environments are essential.

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“Currently, on the market there is one examination table which reaches a low transfer height below 17 inches, the Midmark 626 Barrier-Free examination chair, which reaches a low height of 15 ½ inches…”

— US Access Board Standards for Accessible Medical Diagnostic Equipment (MDE)

What makes the Midmark 626 Barrier-Free® Examination Chair compliant?

Seat Height
Transfer Surface
Base Clearance
Transfer Supports

US Access Board Requirements

Transfer surfaces shall be adjustable in height measured from the floor to the top of the uncompressed transfer surface and shall provide the following:

  • A low transfer position at 17 inches maximum
  • A high transfer position at 25 inches minimum
  • At least 4 additional transfer positions located between the low and high transfer positions separated by 1 inch minimum

Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Examination Chair

The only chair on the market that can lower to a height of 15 ½ inches (uncompressed upholstery)

  • High transfer position of 37 inches
  • 21 ½ inches of height adjustability
View Brochure
Patient in wheelchair transferring into the Midmark 626

US Access Board Requirements

The seated transfer surface shall be:

  • 21 inches wide minimum
  • 17 inches deep minimum

Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Examination Chair

  • The seated transfer surface is 28 or 32 inches wide (depending on upholstery top)
  • 19 ½ inches deep
View Brochure
Patient in wheelchair beginning the transfer into the 626 while it's in flat position

US Access Board Requirements

The width of the base permitted within this clearance shall be 26 inches wide maximum at the edge of the examination surface.

Midmark 626 Barrier-Free Examination Chair

  • Base clearance of 23 ½ inches
  • Compatible with patient lifts
View Brochure
Patient in wheelchair approaching the Midmark 626 to transfer

US Access Board Requirements

Transfer supports shall be/have:

  • Located 1 ½ inches maximum measured horizontally from the plane defined by the nearest edge of the transfer surface
  • Capable of supporting transfer on each side of the transfer surface
  • 15 inches long minimum
  • 6 inches to 19 inches in height (higher than the top of the associated uncompressed transfer surface) during use
  • An outside diameter of 1 ¼ inches minimum and 2 inches maximum (circular cross section)
  • A gripping surface continuous along their length and shall not be obstructed along their tops or sides

Midmark Patient Support Rails and Patient Support Rails+

  • Compliant to the new standards
  • Provide patients with stability while entering, exiting or repositioning on the exam chair
View Brochure
Patient using the Patient support rails on 626

Learn more about the Department of Justice Enforcement

Starting October 8, 2024, the Department of Justice is enforcing critical standards to improve accessibility in healthcare settings. These changes mean that medical diagnostic equipment in facilities across the country must now meet specific height and usability requirements to better serve people with disabilities. Discover what this means for healthcare providers, patients and caregivers alike by exploring the details below.

The DOJ is enforcing the US Access Board Standards (MDE) that were issued on July 1st, 2017, 36 CFR part 1195 requiring Medical Diagnostic Equipment to have a 17-inch to 19-inch low transfer height range.

The most recent 2024 US Access Board Standards (MDE), requiring a 17-inch low seat height effective September 23rd, 2024, is not enforced by the Department of Justice.

The Department of Justice is considering issuing a supplemental rulemaking proposing to adopt the 17-inch low seat height.

According to this ruling, the general scoping requirements for medical diagnostic equipment state:

  • At least 10% of the total number of units at a facility, but no fewer than one unit, must meet the US Access Board Standards (MDE).

  • At least 20% of the total number of units at a rehabilitation facility that specializes in treating conditions that affect mobility, but no fewer than one unit, meet the US Access Board Standards (MDE).

After October 8th, 2024, newly acquired medical diagnostic equipment must meet the US Access Board Standards (MDE) that were issued on July 1st, 2017, 36 CFR part 1195 requiring Medical Diagnostic Equipment to have a 17-inch to 19-inch low transfer height range until the DOJ's scoping requirements are met.

Facilities have until August 9th, 2026, to get compliant to the DOJ's scoping requirements of the US Access Board Standards (MDE) that were issued on July 1st, 2017, 36 CFR part 1195. Otherwise, facilities can be subject to lawsuits and settlement agreements to achieve greater access, inclusion and equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

The Department of Justice is considering issuing a supplemental rulemaking proposing to adopt the 17-inch low seat height.

DOJ Enforcement Fact Sheet: https://www.ada.gov/resources/2024-08-08-mde-fact-sheet/

According to a 2022 estimate by the US Census Bureau, over 44 million people with disabilities live outside of institutional settings in the United States, and the most common category of disability is mobility or ambulatory impairment.2

"The lack of physical accessibility adversely affects quality of care, leading to delayed and incomplete care, missed diagnoses, exacerbation of the original disability, and increases in the likelihood of the development of secondary conditions."3

Let Midmark help your clinic meet the needs of ALL of your patients.

Explore More Resources on This Topic

Want to dive deeper into accessible design? Explore these resources for expert insights, standards and practical tips to make your spaces more inclusive.

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Designing for Accessibility

Watch this video for a quick overview of the design principles that can help you improve patient care and meet ADA requirements.

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THE ISSUE:
Access Board Standards

Learn more about the new US Access Board Standards (MDE) and what makes the Midmark 626 compliant.

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Exam Room Workflow Solutions

Better planning can lead to better care. Explore ways to optimize your care environments for greater efficiency and improved patient experiences.

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Accessible Design Guide

Accessibility is required by the ADA and crucial for patient care, but state regulations can complicate compliance, leading to confusion for healthcare systems.

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