Concern over ER Diversions Driving Patient Monitoring System Sales

Advanced patient monitoring systems with wireless capability and other features continue to be one of the fastest growing medical device areas in terms of revenue growth. These are the latest findings of Kalorama Information (New York, NY, USA), an independent medical market research firm.

According to the report, attempts to avoid emergency room (ER) overcrowding are one of many factors leading hospitals to purchase these systems. In the United States alone, there are over 35 million hospital admissions each year, and nearly 120 million people visit a hospital ER annually. This requires a significant number of hospital resources, namely staff and available beds. However, a recent survey by the American Hospital Association (AHA; Chicago, IL, USA) has discovered capacity constraints, primarily at the ER level, are resulting in diversion, i.e., the diversion of patients en route by ambulance to nearby hospitals.

As a result, facilities are looking for other ways to address the issue, such as remote patient monitoring systems. Advances in this field include new peripherals, real-time audio and video interaction between clinicians and patients, wireless communication, systems that sort the vast amount of data collected in order to put it into the context of a patient’s condition, portable and ambulatory monitors, web-based access to patient records, systems that transfer data to an electronic medical record (EMR), and full-service outsourcing that includes a clinician to evaluate data and send a report to the attending physician.

“Portable monitoring devices, which increase the ability of the staff to keep track of patients, may reduce some of the need for diversions,” said report author Melissa Elder, a Kalorama Information analyst. “Additionally, staff shortages are another cause of diversions which may be addressed with the improved efficiency and workflow gained by using more efficient monitoring devices.”

The market for these advanced patient monitoring systems, according to Kalorama Information, includes wireless and remote patient monitors (equipment and applications), applications and equipment for processing data, and applications and equipment for transferring patient monitoring data into an EMR. According to Kalorama Information, the US market had a value of USD 3.9 billion in 2007, and almost doubled to USD 8.9 billion by 2011.

“There are several factors driving double-digit growth in this market,” concluded Ms. Elder. “These include the aging of the population, increasing healthcare costs, and dwindling healthcare resources which compel organizations to find devices that can help with staff shortages.”

Related Links:
Kalorama Information
American Hospital Association