Program D4: Guideline & Policy Development

Key Contributors: Melissa Lemke, June Kailes, Jack Winters

Project D4.1: Design Guidelines for Medical Instrumentation

In collaboration with existing standards making bodies (e.g. the U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and informed by knowledge gained by project staff through various project activities, this project started the development of new design guidelines and standards and/or metrics (see Research Program R3) for accessible medical instrumentation. Instrumentation design guidelines are needed for instrumentation developers, and selection and use guidelines are needed for individual health care recipients and service providers. General guidelines regarding instrumentation-related policies and procedures are also be needed for service providers.

Proposed Guidelines (as of 2008)

Plans to expand these guidelines were not undertaken, as the priority for an RERC on AMI was dropped from NIDRR's portfolio of RERC's in 2008.

Project D4.2 / Model Medical Policies

Based on the results of Research Program R4, the RERC will present findings to and consult with legislative bodies to draft model policies to support the delivery of medical care services to all patients, including individuals with disabilities and activity limitations. Staff started the process of consulting with medical facility administrators to develop policies that will be appropriate for specific sites, including training materials that instruct medical staff in appropriate procedures for working with diverse populations.