Patient Lateral Transfer Market Report

Market Overview:

The global patient lateral transfer market size reached US$ 335.6 Million in 2023. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 697.1 Million by 2032, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 8.46% during 2024-2032. The rising incidences of musculoskeletal injuries leading to increased demand for safe and efficient patient transfer solutions, continuous technological advancements, and the expansion of healthcare infrastructure for enhancing patient safety and care in healthcare settings are some factors propelling the market growth.

Patient lateral transfer refers to the safe and systematic movement of a patient from one surface to another, such as from a bed to a stretcher or from a wheelchair to an examination table. This procedure is commonly performed in healthcare settings to ensure patient comfort, prevent injuries, and facilitate various medical interventions. It involves using proper body mechanics and assistive devices, such as transfer belts or slide sheets, to minimize physical strain on the patient and healthcare providers. It is essential to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among staff and to maintain the dignity and well-being of patients. Additionally, adequate training of healthcare personnel in patient lateral transfer techniques by adhering to best practices and guidelines can promote patient safety and enhance the quality of care provided.

The market is primarily driven by the increasing demand and innovation in the healthcare industry. Additionally, the growing awareness of patient safety and the need for efficient transfer solutions are influencing the market growth. In line with this, healthcare facilities are recognizing the importance of minimizing the risk of patient handling-related injuries among patients and caregivers, thus contributing to market growth. As a result, there is a rising demand for advanced lateral transfer devices and equipment designed to reduce manual handling and ensure smooth and safe patient transfers. Moreover, the continuous technological advancements and development of more ergonomic, easy-to-use, and patient-friendly transfer devices represent another major growth-inducing factor. Along with this, these innovations include air-assisted lateral transfer systems, slide sheets, and transfer boards that enhance the efficiency of patient handling while minimizing physical strain on caregivers, thus propelling the market growth. Furthermore, healthcare regulations and guidelines are encouraging the adoption of safer patient-handling practices while investing in patient lateral transfer solutions to improve patient outcomes thus creating a positive market outlook.

Patient Lateral Transfer Market Trends/Drivers:

The growing Incidences of musculoskeletal injuries

The increasing incidences of musculoskeletal injuries among patients and healthcare workers are escalating the demand for patient lateral transfer solutions. Additionally, manual patient handling and transfer can put immense strain on healthcare providers, leading to various musculoskeletal issues such as back pain, sprains, and strains thus influencing the market growth. In line with this, nurses, caregivers, and other healthcare professionals are at risk of sustaining injuries when attempting to move patients manually, especially those with limited mobility or weight-bearing restrictions, thus contributing to the market growth. Moreover, it offers a safer alternative as it facilitates lateral movement of patients, allowing healthcare providers to slide them smoothly from one surface to another without excessive physical exertion representing another major growth-inducing factor. Along with this, it also minimizes the need for repetitive lifting and awkward postures, and significantly lowers the risk of musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers, thus propelling the market growth.

The emerging technological advancements

Advancements in medical technology are transforming patient lateral transfer solutions thus escalating the demand for more efficient and user-friendly devices. In addition, emerging technological innovations, and the development of new transfer systems to streamline the process and enhance safety, are influencing the market growth. Moreover, air-assisted patient transfer systems utilize air chambers to create a cushion of air between the patient and the surface, allowing for almost effortless lateral movement, with enhanced efficiency represents another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, lateral transfer boards and devices with low-friction surfaces are emerging as valuable tools in patient handling, that are designed to minimize friction between the patient and the surface, enabling smooth and gentle lateral transfers, thus accelerating the market growth. Furthermore, advancements in materials and engineering led to the development of lightweight yet durable transfer devices that are easy to transport and maneuver, enabling caregivers to perform transfers more efficiently and effectively thus providing a positive thrust to the market growth.

The significant expansion of healthcare infrastructure

The growing healthcare sector often serves an increasing number of patients, including those with mobility limitations or complex medical conditions, thus contributing to market growth. In addition, patient lateral transfer devices are essential in facilitating the movement of patients within these facilities, ensuring smooth transitions between various care settings, thus influencing market growth. Moreover, the growing emphasis on patient safety and care quality led to an increased focus on injury prevention during patient handling representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, the expansion of long-term care and rehabilitation facilities is escalating the demand for lateral transfer devices thus accelerating the market growth. Along with this, patients in these settings often require frequent transfers between beds, chairs, and other surfaces which can be solved with the adoption of patient lateral transfer solutions that help prevent patient discomfort and reduce the risk of complications associated with frequent repositioning thus creating a positive market outlook.

Patient Lateral Transfer Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global patient lateral transfer market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2024-2032. Our report has categorized the market based on product type, usage and end user.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Air-Assisted Lateral Transfer Mattresses
• Regular Mattresses
• Split-Leg Mattresses
• Half Mattresses
• Sliding Sheets
• Accessories
   

Air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses represent the most popular product type

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses, regular mattresses, split-leg mattresses, half mattresses, sliding sheets, and accessories. According to the report, air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses accounted for the largest market share.

Air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses utilize air chambers to create a low-friction surface, enabling effortless lateral movement of patients. They are designed to reduce the physical strain on caregivers and provide a comfortable transfer experience for patients with limited mobility, thus influencing market growth. Additionally, regular mattresses are the standard mattresses used in healthcare settings for patient care, which is essential for providing a stable surface for repositioning, thus contributing to market growth.

Moreover, split-leg mattresses are designed with a gap or division in the middle, allowing caregivers to position patients with legs spread apart that are particularly useful for patients with hip issues or those requiring gynecological care, representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, half mattresses, also known as wedge or scoop mattresses, have a unique shape that facilitates lateral transfers that are employed for patients who need assistance in sitting up or repositioning, thus accelerating the market growth.

Furthermore, the sliding sheets are flat sheets made of low-friction materials that allow smooth patient transfers between surfaces which are utilized by caregivers to slide patients laterally without excessive physical effort. In addition, accessories include various tools and equipment to support safe and efficient transfers such as transfer boards, transfer handles, and straps to aid in patient repositioning.

Breakup by Usage:

• Single Patient Use
• Reusable
   

Single patient use devices presently account for the largest market share

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on usage has also been provided in the report. This includes single-patient use, reusable. According to the report, single-patient use devices accounted for the largest market share.

Single-patient use transfer devices are designed for one-time use with a specific patient. These devices are typically made from disposable materials that are easy to clean and sanitize after each use. They offer a hygienic solution for patient handling, reducing the risk of cross-contamination between patients, and are useful in high-risk environments, such as isolation units or areas with infectious patients, where maintaining strict infection control protocols is crucial. Additionally, they provide convenience and efficiency, as there is no need for extensive cleaning or sterilization between patients, thus influencing the market growth. In line with this, the rising demand for single-patient-use transfer devices in healthcare facilities that prioritize infection prevention and require quick and hassle-free patient transfers are contributing to the market growth.

Moreover, reusable transfer devices are made from durable materials that can withstand multiple uses and rigorous cleaning processes which are designed for repeated use with different patients after proper cleaning and disinfection representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, reusable transfer devices offer a cost-effective solution for healthcare facilities with a high volume of patient transfers thus accelerating the market growth. Along with this, reusable transfer devices are commonly employed in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and long-term care facilities, where patient turnover is frequent, and efficient patient handling is essential thus propelling the market growth.

Breakup by End User:

• Hospitals
• Ambulatory Surgical Center
• Others
   

Hospitals holds the largest share of the market

A detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end-user has also been provided in the report. This includes hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and others. According to the report, hospitals accounted for the largest market share.

The rising use of patient lateral transfer in hospitals due to the high patient influx and the need for efficient patient handling within their facilities are contributing to the market growth. Additionally, several services are provided to hospitals requiring patient lateral transfer solutions to ensure the safe and smooth movement of patients between different departments and care settings thus influencing the market growth.

Moreover, ambulatory surgical centers are also escalating the service demand for performing a considerable number of surgical procedures on an outpatient basis representing another major growth-inducing factor. Besides this, patient lateral transfer devices are essential in ambulatory surgical centers to facilitate safe and comfortable transfers before and after surgical interventions are accelerating the market growth.

Furthermore, various healthcare settings such as long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, nursing homes, and home care settings also use patient lateral transfer solutions for catering to patients with mobility limitations who require frequent transfers for daily activities and care needs, thus creating a positive market outlook.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Others
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

North America exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and others); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America accounted for the largest market share.

North America market is driven by the presence of well-established healthcare infrastructure and a growing emphasis on patient safety and caregiver well-being.

In addition, hospitals and long-term care facilities are adopting advanced patient lateral transfer solutions to enhance patient care and optimize staff efficiency, thus contributing to the market growth.

Europe’s market is driven by the growing geriatric population and increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal injuries among healthcare workers, thus augmenting the market growth. In addition, countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France have robust healthcare systems that prioritize patient safety, driving the adoption of innovative lateral transfer devices and technologies.

The Asia Pacific region is witnessing notable growth in the market due to the rapid expansion of healthcare infrastructure and rising awareness of the importance of patient safety. Additionally, countries including China, India, Japan, and South Korea are key contributors to the region's market growth, as they invest in modern healthcare facilities and advanced patient-handling solutions.Besides this, Latin America is also experiencing steady growth in the market, propelled by an increasing geriatric population and the expansion of healthcare services in countries such as Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina are driving the product demand for improving patient outcomes and optimizing caregiving processes are accelerating the market growth.

Competitive Landscape:

At present, key players in the patient lateral transfer market are employing various strategies to strengthen their position and gain a competitive advantage in the industry. They are investing in research and development (R&D) to create innovative and advanced transfer solutions and improve the design, functionality, and safety features of their products to meet the evolving needs of healthcare facilities and caregivers. Moreover, companies are focusing on expanding their geographic reach by establishing distribution networks and partnerships in different regions to penetrate new markets. Besides this, key players are offering training programs and educational resources to healthcare facilities and caregivers by promoting safe handling practices and educating users on the proper use of their products, they contribute to improved patient safety and caregiver well-being. Furthermore, they aim to strike a balance between offering high-quality products and competitive pricing and focusing on cost-effectiveness to appeal to healthcare facilities seeking durable and efficient patient lateral transfer solutions while optimizing their budgets.

The report has provided a comprehensive analysis of the competitive landscape in the market. Detailed profiles of all major companies have also been provided. Some of the key players in the market include:

• Alimed Inc.
• Air-Matt Inc.
• Arjo
• Blue Chip Medical Inc.
• Etac AB
• EZ Way Inc
• GBUK Group Ltd.
• Haines Medical Australia
• McAuley Medical Inc.
• Samarit Medical AG
• Stryker Corporation
   

Patient Lateral Transfer Market Report Scope:

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

• How has the global patient lateral transfer market performed so far, and how will it perform in the coming years?
• What are the drivers, restraints, and opportunities in the global patient lateral transfer market?
• What is the impact of each driver, restraint, and opportunity on the global patient lateral transfer market?
• What are the key regional markets?
• Which countries represent the most attractive patient lateral transfer market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the product type?
• Which is the most attractive product type in the patient lateral transfer market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on usage?
• Which is the most attractive usage in the patient lateral transfer market?
• What is the breakup of the market based on the end user?
• Which is the most attractive end user in the patient lateral transfer market?
• What is the competitive structure of the global patient lateral transfer market?
• Who are the key players/companies in the global patient lateral transfer market?

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the patient lateral transfer market from 2018-2032.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global patient lateral transfer market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the patient lateral transfer industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.