Patient Handling Equipment Market Analysis By Product (Wheelchairs & Scooters, Medical Beds, Mechanical & Nonmechanical Equipment, Ambulatory Aids), By Type (Bariatric Care, Fall Prevention, Critical Care, Wound Care), By End Use (Home Care Settings, Hospitals, Elderly Care Facilities), And Segment Forecasts To 2024

Industry Insights

The global patient handling equipment market was valued at USD 9.6 billion in 2015. The increasing emphasis on regulations and guidelines for manual handling by government organizations and the adoption of safety guidelines are expected to provide this market with lucrative growth opportunities.

For instance, regulations laid down by the government bodies, such as the lifting equation with Recommended Weight Limit (RWL) by the National Institute of Occupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), ensure the effective handling of patients and minimize the risk of injuries to caregivers. In addition, guidelines imparted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Workplace Safety and Health Council, Manual Handling Code of Practice, European Agency for Safety & Health at Work (EU-OSHA) are further anticipated to increase the usage of patient handling equipment for practicing safety.

North America - Patient handling equipment market share, by product, 2013 - 2024 (USD Million)

Moreover, the increasing prevalence of disabilities and an increase in the geriatric population is anticipated to drive the patient handling equipment market over the forecast period. For example, according to the World Health Organization estimates in 2014, the estimated global burden of disease by 2021 should approximately involve 1.18 million patients per year who are expected to suffer from some disability or the other and around 1.43 million patients per year by 2031. The introduction of technologically advanced and safe products that are easy to use and prevent MSDs in caregivers are expected to drive growth in the near future.

Product Insights

Medical beds held a lucrative share in 2015. This growth is attributed to the rising penetration of handling equipment in hospitals, home care, nursing homes, trauma centers, and long-term acute care centers. In addition, upgrading of medical beds such as bed frames, adjustable angles, and support surfaces for ease of mobility and comfort are responsible for shifting of preference from traditional beds and thereby, boosting demand. Electric backrest, shear and friction reduction, battery backup, and easy assembly and disassembly are key benefits associated with advanced beds that are anticipated to drive demand in the near future.

Type Insights

Wound care was identified as one of the dominant segment in 2015, owing to rising incidences of medical conditions such as critical, acute, and chronic wounds; pressure ulcers; burns; postoperative injuries; venous leg ulcers; and diabetic ulcers. In addition, advanced technologies available for wound care management, such as stem cell therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, bioengineered tissue, and negative-pressure wound therapy are further anticipated to augment the industry growth in the coming years.

End-Use Insights

As of 2015, hospitals dominated the end-use segment due to the increasing adoption rate of patient handling equipment for the medical safety of patients and caregivers. Furthermore, increasing the implementation of safety guidelines and pressure from government authorities to follow these guidelines is the factor responsible for market growth.

For example, the National Patient Safety Agency monitors patient safety incidents in hospital settings to improve patients’ health in the UK. Moreover, the increasing expenditure aiming at improving the healthcare infrastructure for providing better services and facilities are expected to propel market growth over the forecast period.

Regional Insights

Europe held a substantial revenue share of the overall patient handling equipment market in 2015. This can be attributed to the presence of a large number of healthcare facilities, trained professionals, and demand for better services coupled with supportive regulations for patient safety.

Whereas, North America is anticipated to grow at a lucrative rate due to rising demand for home care equipment, increasing geriatric population, and supportive government assistance for improvisation in infrastructure and medical facilities. Moreover, the increasing rate of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs) over this region is adding up to the market growth during the forecast period.

Competitive Market Share Insights

Some key players in the patient handling equipment market include Stryker Corporation; Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.; Invacare Corporation; Getinge Group; Guldmann, Inc.; Stiegelmeyer, Inc.; Benmor Medical Ltd.; Sidhil, Ltd.; ArjoHuntleigh, Inc.; Etac Ltd.; Joerns Healthcare, Inc.; Handicare, Inc.; Mangar International Ltd.; Linet Americas, Inc.; and Prism Medical Ltd.

The industry is highly competitive in nature and the key market players are involved in activities such as strategic collaborations, new product launches, acquisition activities, and technological advancements. For example, in December 2013, Stryker announced the acquisition of Patient Safety Technologies, Inc., in an effort to expand business in patient handling and care segment. In January 2016, Sidhil Ltd. launched a new specialist pediatric bed as an extension to its existing products in an attempt to further improve its sales.

Recent Developments

• In June 2023, Joerns Healthcare collaborated with Winncare to introduce Winncare’s Mangar Lifting Cushion, a patient-handling and moving product range in the U.S. market. These cushions are designed to help workers to lift patients from the floor to seat or bed height, and protect them from injuries due to repetitive lifting

• In October 2022, Etac introduced a new full-length variant of the Molift RgoSling Repositioning Sheet that helps to cover the full length of the patient’s body. It provides high-level support to transfer patients within and around the bed, and helps in repositioning, turning side lying, and rolling the user sideways, thus a suitable contribution in the patient handling equipment market

• In February 2021, Stryker launched ProCuity™, a completely wireless hospital bed for patient care environment. This bed is versatile, smart, and scalable which helps to reduce in-hospital patient falls, and improve nurse workflow efficiencies