New technologies and the aging population will sustain demand for hospital beds.
New York, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2015
The Hospital Bed Manufacturing industry has exhibited resilient growth, driven by the advent of new technologies. In particular, new technologies have enabled hospital beds to include additional features, such as data that allows healthcare providers to monitor a patient's heart rate, dietary restrictions and potential response to treatments. Additionally, as many hospitals have grappled with patient overcrowding, this trend has further exacerbated the proliferation of computer-based decision support. For instance, some healthcare providers have used radio frequency identification tag (RFID) technology to match patients with available hospital beds, thus providing a boon for the industry. As a result of this technology, hospitals have been better equipped to manage hospital beds, which has made some hospitals wary of additional beds needed.
However, not all trends have positively impacted the industry. For example, healthcare reform, which has facilitated hospitals' shift from a fee-for-service to a patient outcome-driven approach, has spurred hospital consolidation. According to the latest data from the American Hospital Association, the number of registered community hospitals has declined from 5,008 in 2009 to 4,999 in 2012. According to IBISWorld Industry Analyst Sarah Turk, “This trend, coupled with more hospitals using group purchasing organizations (GPOs), which have increasingly used their large size as leverage to secure low-cost purchases for hospitals, has intensified price-based competition.” All in all, the slight decline in the number of hospital beds per capita in the US, according to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, has posed as a significant hurdle for the industry. Nevertheless, at-home care, which may cause patients to require hospital beds for at-home use, has stimulated industry revenue. Over the five years to 2015, industry revenue is expected to grow slightly. Profit is anticipated to slightly rise as well, driven by the proliferation of high-tech hospital beds that garner higher prices.
The Hospital Bed Manufacturing industry is characterized by a high level of market share concentration. In 2015, the top four companies are expected to make up a very large portion of industry revenue. Overall, the industry is moving toward being a duopoly, due to industry revenue being largely generated by two major companies, Hill-Rom and Stryker. As group purchasing organizations (GPOs) have increasingly negotiated low-cost hospital beds for hospitals, this trend has further exacerbated the industry's consolidation.
As many hospital bed manufacturers have either exited the industry altogether, or have focused on a specific product (e.g. bariatric hospital beds), this trend has enabled some large industry operators to command a significant share of industry revenue. “Over the next five years, the industry is expected to remain highly concentrated, as large industry operators continue to secure favorable contracts with downstream markets, namely hospitals, and invest in product innovation,” says Turk.
In the five years to 2020, industry revenue is forecast to grow marginally. The industry will likely benefit from robust demand for bariatric hospital beds, coupled with many health insurance providers inciting patients to use at-home hospital beds to help lower the rate of hospitalization.
For more information, visit IBISWorld’s Hospital Bed Manufacturing in the US industry report page.
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IBISWorld industry Report Key Topics
This industry manufactures beds and other specialized furniture for use in hospital or clinical settings.
Industry Performance
Executive Summary
Key External Drivers
Current Performance
Industry Outlook
Industry Life Cycle
Products & Markets
Supply Chain
Products & Services
Major Markets
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Market Share Concentration
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Major Companies
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