Need Is Growing for Beds/Support

Recent studies predict tremendous growth in the beds and support surfaces market within the decade. But the market is plagued with reimbursement woes that could keep many home medical equipment providers from reaping the benefits.

According to a June report from research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan, the overall beds and support surfaces market hit $1.6 billion in 2005 and is projected to reach revenues of $2.9 billion by 2012. While the report includes hospital beds and support surfaces, these figures also point to growth in the home care arena.

Contributing to such rapid growth are the usual factors: an American population that is increasing in age and size, both groups that are more likely to require a specialty bed and both prone to developing pressure sores. According to Frost & Sullivan, approximately one million pressure ulcers occur annually in the United States, costing about $1.3 billion each year to hospitals alone.

According to Jim Acker of Blue Chip Medical Products, the standard patient market is growing due to the number of aging Americans. In addition, Acker notes the “ever-increasing size of Americans makes bariatrics a huge area. The demand for 48-inch and 54-inch-wide support surfaces is becoming more prevalent.”

“Clearly the market continues to grow — especially on the beds side,” adds Leisure-Lift/Burke Beds' DuWayne Kramer.

“The main thing we're starting to see with major manufacturers is a clear distinction between a bariatric bed and a home care bed. With more emphasis on caregiver safety — bariatric patients are dangerous — with more zero-lift policies, the fact that the caregiver can move the bed around or have a lift that helps move the patient is becoming a big issue.”

“Take a look at the market,” explains Invacare Corp.'s Mike Sedlak. “The rate of obesity has doubled over last decade, and the average age of someone considered obese has dropped down to the mid-40s. You really have a changing demographic in the market, and this is a different need altogether.

“Many homebound bariatric patients might not have proper beds; that is, their beds may not be able to hold or support them. Therefore, many sleep sitting in recliners or chairs, or even on the floor.”

Sedlak points out that these makeshift sleeping arrangements can often lead to secondary problems, in addition to being homebound.