Patient Lateral Transfer Global Market Report 2025

Lateral patient transfer involves the movement of patients from one surface to another, such as transferring them from a bed to a stretcher or from a wheelchair to a bed. This practice is common in various medical settings and is crucial for ensuring safe patient management. The products and sheets used in lateral patient transfer aid in facilitating safe transfers and repositioning of patients.

The primary types of products utilized in patient lateral transfer include air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses, sliding sheets, and related accessories. An air-assisted lateral transfer mattress is a type of medical device specifically designed to assist caregivers in transferring patients. These mattresses can be for single-patient use or reusable, and they find application in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other medical facilities.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp increase in U.S. tariffs and resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly impacting the medical equipment sector, especially for imported components used in imaging machines, surgical-grade stainless steel, and disposable plastics. With hospitals and clinics pushing back against price increases, manufacturers are facing margin pressure. The situation is further complicated by regulatory challenges, as switching suppliers due to tariffs often necessitates re-certification of medical devices, leading to delays in market entry. In response, companies are mitigating risks by dual-sourcing key components, ramping up domestic production of standardized items, and accelerating research into more cost-effective materials.

The patient lateral transfer market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides patient lateral transfer market statistics, including patient lateral transfer industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a patient lateral transfer market share, detailed patient lateral transfer market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the patient lateral transfer industry. This patient lateral transfer market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The patient lateral transfer market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.49 billion in 2024 to $4.88 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to focus on healthcare worker safety, growing aging population, rise in healthcare expenditure, increasing incidence of chronic diseases, focus on reducing hospital-acquired infections, patient-centric healthcare approach.

The patient lateral transfer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.93 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for bariatric transfer solutions, focus on home healthcare, global aging population continues to grow, expansion of ambulatory care services, collaboration for product innovation. Major trends in the forecast period include integration of sensor technologies, development of bariatric transfer solutions, adoption of air-assisted transfer systems, emphasis on ergonomics and staff safety, customization for different healthcare settings.

The forecast of 9.2% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.2% from the previous estimate for this market.This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. This is likely to directly affect the US through supply chain disruptions for low-friction transfer sheets and inflatable air components, key imports from Canada and South Korea, delaying patient care equipment availability.The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growing hospitalization rate is expected to drive the growth of the patient lateral transfer market in the coming years. The rising hospitalization rate refers to the increasing number of individuals admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. Lateral transfer is used in hospitals to reposition patients, provide care, and assess their condition. For example, in February 2024, the Canadian Institute for Health Information, a Canada-based healthcare organization, reported that there were 2.96 million acute inpatient hospitalizations in Canada during 2022-2023, up from 2.88 million in 2021-2022. As a result, the increase in hospitalizations is contributing to the growth of the patient lateral transfer market.

The growing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) is expected to drive the growth of the patient lateral transfer market in the coming years. MSDs refer to a wide range of medical conditions affecting the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other components of the musculoskeletal system. These conditions often require the use of patient lateral transfer techniques to minimize physical strain on healthcare providers and improve patient mobility. These methods ensure safe and efficient movement of individuals with musculoskeletal impairments, promoting better care outcomes and reducing the risk of injury during transfers. For example, in July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO), a Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization, reported that musculoskeletal conditions affected approximately 1.71 billion people worldwide. Additionally, a March 2022 survey published in PubMed Central (PMC) found that, among 282 students, increased device use and sitting time, combined with reduced physical activity and walking, led to a higher incidence of musculoskeletal pain, particularly in the shoulders and neck (65%). Furthermore, 46% of students working from home with laptops or phones experienced text neck syndrome. As a result, the increasing prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders is contributing to the growth of the patient lateral transfer market.

Leading companies in the patient lateral transfer market are actively developing innovative products, such as mobile air transfer systems (MATS), to aid staff in the proper tilting and transferring of patients. MATS utilize air cushions as medical devices to assist in laterally transferring patients. For example, in March 2022, Sage Products LLC, a US-based healthcare products manufacturer, introduced an innovative multi-position mobile air transfer system (MATS) designed to facilitate patient transfers. The Multi-Position MATS secures the patient to the operating room table and features a unique, skin-friendly foam cushion that redistributes pressure and can be easily removed after surgery. The novel design of integrated arm wraps reduces the risk of nerve injury by protecting the patient's arms and keeping them adducted throughout the surgical procedure.

In August 2023, Pelstar LLC, a US-based provider of medical supplies for both commercial and personal use, acquired Bridge Healthcare USA for an undisclosed amount. This strategic move aims to enhance Pelstar's portfolio of Safe Patient Handling products, which focuses on reducing injuries among healthcare workers during patient transfers. Bridge Healthcare USA is a US-based company that specializes in providing patient lateral transfer solutions.

Major companies operating in the patient lateral transfer market report are Stryker Corporation, Baxter International Inc., Medline Industries Inc., Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc., Smith and Nephew plc., Steris plc., Scan Medical Co Inc., Arthrex Inc., Hill-Rom Holdings Inc., Getinge AB, Wideblue Ltd., Agiliti Inc., Arjo AB, Cantel Medical Corp, Etac AB, Handicare Group AB, AliMed Inc., Prism Medical Inc., EZ Way Inc., HoverTech International, AliMed Inc., Blue Chip Medical Products Inc., Airpal Inc., McAuley Medical Inc., Samarit Medical AG, Patient Positioning Systems LLC, David Scott Company, Haines Medical Australia, WY East Medical Company, GBUK Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the patient lateral transfer market in 2024. The regions covered in the patient lateral transfer market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

The countries covered in the patient lateral transfer market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The patient lateral transfer market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as patient care assessment, patient management. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The patient lateral transfer market also includes sales of transfer boards, transfer slings, ceiling lifts and rolling transfer boards that are used in patient lateral transfer services. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Patient Lateral Transfer Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses on patient lateral transfer market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for patient lateral transfer ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The patient lateral transfer market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:

The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.

• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Products: Air-Assisted Lateral Transfer Mattress; Sliding Sheets; Accessories
• 2) By Usage Type: Single Patient Use; Reusable
• 3) By End-User: Hospital; Ambulatory Surgical Center; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Air-Assisted Lateral Transfer Mattress: Powered Air-Assisted Mattresses; Manual Air-Assisted Mattresses; Disposable Air-Assisted Mattresses
• 2) By Sliding Sheets: Standard Sliding Sheets; Gliding Sheets With Handles; Disposable Sliding Sheets; Reusable Sliding Sheets
• 3) By Accessories: Transfer Straps And Belts; Positioning Cushions; Lifting Slings; Support Pads For Lateral Transfer
• Companies Mentioned: Stryker Corporation; Baxter International Inc.; Medline Industries Inc.; Zimmer Biomet Holdings Inc.; Smith and Nephew plc.; Steris plc.; Scan Medical Co Inc.; Arthrex Inc.; Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.; Getinge AB; Wideblue Ltd.; Agiliti Inc; Arjo AB; Cantel Medical Corp; Etac AB; Handicare Group AB; AliMed Inc.; Prism Medical Inc.; EZ Way Inc.; HoverTech International; AliMed Inc; Blue Chip Medical Products Inc.; Airpal Inc.; McAuley Medical Inc.; Samarit Medical AG; Patient Positioning Systems LLC; David Scott Company; Haines Medical Australia; WY East Medical Company; GBUK Ltd.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
• Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.