36 CFR Part 1195 Proposed Accessibility Standards for Medical Diagnostic Equipment NPRM - Preamble

Armrests (M302.3.2)

M302.3.2 would require armrests to be provided on diagnostic equipment used by patients in a seated position. This is consistent with ANSI/AAMI HE75 which recommends that “[f]or support surfaces that require the patient to assume a seated position, armrests should be provided to enhance patient comfort, stability, and ease of transfer.” See ANSI/AAMI HE 75, section 16.4.7 (e). Where armrests serve as transfer supports, the armrests would be required to meet the technical criteria in M305.2 for the location and structural strength of transfer supports. Otherwise, there are no technical criteria for armrests.