Demand for infection control products rising, says US study
Infection prevention remains big business in the US, with the market expected to increase by 4% annually to US$16.8bn (£8.29bn; €12.1bn) in 2011, says a new study, ‘Infection Prevention Products & Services, by research firm the Freedonia Group.
Devices used in surgery to limit the transmission of air and blood-borne pathogens are among the range of products posting the largest share of revenue.
According to the study, an upward trend in the number of operative procedures is also expected to increase demand for surgical drapes and gowns by 3.6% annually to $3.9bn (£1.92bn; €2.8bn) in 2011. A growing preference for enhanced barrier (level 4) textiles, which provide the strongest protection against pathogens, is also expected to drive growth.
Similarly, in the life sciences and healthcare sectors, demand for disinfectants will see market size grow to $2.8bn (£1.38bn; €2.0bn) by 2011. Pressures on healthcare facilities to adopt stricter staff hygiene and facility cleaning and disinfection practices, will bolster these gains.
Healthcare and life science markets for sterilisation supplies, equipment and services will post moderate growth as medical providers and producers adopt stricter protocols to ensure the safety of new and reprocessed products.
An increase in efforts to prevent the transmission of pathogenic micro-organisms to and from staff personnel will boost demand for medical and laboratory gloves, face masks and other protective apparel, especially in the health care sector.
Healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) affect 2.3 million hospital and ambulatory patients in the US each year and lead directly or indirectly to 99,000 deaths.