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

5.4.2.2 Transfer and Positioning Support Length Recommendations for Imaging Equipment with Transfer Surfaces

On imaging equipment with transfer surfaces, the transfer surface is oriented along the long dimension of the surface on which patients are positioned in the supine, prone, or side-lying position (see Figure 5.2.1.4).

For imaging equipment with transfer surfaces, the Committee recommends a transfer support be 28 inches minimum length and that a positioning support be 12 to 16 inches in length.

Rational for the recommendation

A transfer support (for transfer surfaces less than or equal to 24” deep) is to extend horizontally along the side of the patient scanning/imaging table at least the minimum width of the transfer surface, a minimum length of 28-inches. It is to be located at the designated transfer location.

A positioning support (for transfer surfaces >24” deep) is to extend horizontally along the side of the patient scanning/imaging bed/table with a length of 12 to 16 inches and a height of 3 to 6 inches above the surface. It will be located at a position to accommodate the clinical use, with design inputs from users, for optimal positioning assistance.

Either a transfer support or positioning support may need to be separate from the patient-imaging table in cases where its attachment to the table is not possible. Specific discussion of these situations is in Section 7.

The two-part standard addresses various widths of tables. (see Section 5.4.1.2).

5.4.2.2 Schematic of Transfer Surface and Patient Support for Diagnostic Imaging Equipment
(SOURCE: GE Healthcare)