The Emergence of COVID-19 to Augment the Patient Lateral Transfer Devices Market Growth

 

A lateral transfer is shifting a patient from surface to surface, such as bed to hospital cart, bed to bed, and others. Patient lateral transfer devices are ideal for transfers and repositioning of supine and dependent patients. In the recent years, the demand for lateral transfer devices has increased due to rising incidence of musculoskeletal disorders such as lower back pain (LBP) in healthcare workers. Hospital staff experience more low back pain than many other groups, however, the incidence varies among countries. Lower back pain is one of the most common occupational health problems that leads to serious emotional, sensory and physical problems for healthcare workers, especially nurses.

Work activities involving twisting, bending, awkward static posture, frequent heavy lifting, and psychological stress are regarded as causal factors for many back injuries. Therefore, the demand for patient lateral transfer devices has increased across the globe, driving the growth of the patient lateral transfer devices market. Lateral transfer device is a motorized mechanical lifting device that turns the bed sheet into a kind of sling to perform lateral patient transfers. It is a cost-effective solution that help healthcare workers when there is a limited mobility and the patient needs to be transferred more easily from a bed, wheelchair, car, bathtub, or toilet. This in turn is expected to increase the demand for patient lateral transfer devices.

Growth of the patient lateral transfer devices market is also driven by the emergence of corona virus (COVID-19), as there is a sudden rise in the demand for patient lateral transfer services. Moreover, geriatric population, and those with underlying medical problems, such as cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, are more likely to develop serious illness. Such factors may also increase the demand for patient lateral transfer devices in hospitals and other healthcare settings. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 95% of COVID-19 deaths due to are recorded among people aged more than 60 years, and around 50% of all deaths were recorded among people aged 80 years or older.

Furthermore, obese and overweight people are more likely to be affected by chronic diseases, requiring hospitalization when the condition worsens. This in turn increases the demand for lateral transfer devices, as it is difficult to transport them manually, driving the market growth. However, lack of knowledge or training among caregivers or healthcare workers for efficient operation of patient lateral transfer devices limits the use of patient handling devices and can lead to injuries, which in turn is expected to restrain the growth of the patient lateral transfer devices market.