Beyond the Waiting Room: Building Accessible Exam Spaces with August Boehnlein

On this episode of the MGMA Insights Podcast, host and senior editor Daniel Williams sits down with August Boehnlein, marketing manager for Midmark’s medical division, to explore what patient accessibility means inside exam and procedure rooms. They discuss evolving federal requirements for medical diagnostic equipment, common accessibility gaps and practical steps healthcare organizations can take to create a more inclusive patient experience.

Episode Takeaways

• Accessibility should be evaluated across the entire patient experience, from parking and building entry to transfers onto exam or procedure equipment.
• Aging patient populations and the prevalence of mobility-related disabilities are increasing the need for equipment that supports safe, dignified and clinically appropriate care.
• Patients who remain seated in wheelchairs during examinations may not receive complete assessments, particularly when clinicians need access to the back, abdomen or lower body.
• Powered exam chairs and procedure chairs serve different purposes. Exam chairs support routine assessments, while procedure chairs provide more advanced positioning for longer or specialized procedures.
• Accessible medical diagnostic equipment may need to meet standards involving transfer height, transfer surfaces, base clearance, transfer supports and leg supports. Organizations should consult legal counsel to confirm which requirements apply to their facilities.
• Federal accessibility requirements can vary depending on whether an organization is covered under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
• A practical first step is to inventory equipment across each facility and exam room, identifying what is already accessible, where gaps exist and which future purchases should be prioritized.
• Midmark offers accessible exam and procedure equipment, along with an equipment inventory and facility analysis designed to help healthcare organizations understand their current state and plan improvements.

Resources

• Connect with August Boehnlein on LinkedIn
• Midmark Medical
• Midmark Examination Chairs
• U.S. Access Board
• Americans with Disabilities Act
• U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services - Discrimination on the Basis of Disability
• MGMA DataDive Financials and Operations Data

MGMA Members: Would like to appear on an episode? Email us at dwilliams@mgma.com. If you have a question about your practice that you would like us to answer, send an email to advisor@mgma.com. Don't forget to subscribe to our network wherever you get your podcasts!

This episode is sponsored by Midmark Corporation.
Founded in 1915, Midmark Corporation is the only company transforming healthcare experiences through innovative design within the medical, dental and veterinary environments. With a deep understanding of the healthcare environment, Midmark helps physicians and care teams deliver exceptional patient care through seamless room design, better equipment, smarter workflows and integrated technologies. Midmark can help improve clinical outcomes and eliminate the barriers preventing seamless, well-coordinated patient care. For more information, visit: midmark.com/medical.