Patient Handling Equipment Market

Market Definition

Patient handling equipment comprises a variety of devices designed to assist healthcare professionals in safely transferring, repositioning, and mobilizing patients. This market includes products such as patient lifts, transfer belts, slide sheets, wheelchairs, stretchers, and mobility aids. 

It also covers the development, manufacturing, and distribution of these products across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, rehabilitation centers, and home care environments.

Patient Handling Equipment Market Overview

The global patient handling equipment market size was valued at USD 11.09 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 11.72 billion in 2025 to USD 18.31 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.58% during the forecast period. 

This growth is attributed to the rising demand for safe, efficient, and ergonomic patient handling solutions across hospitals, long-term care facilities, and home care environments. Increasing incidence of chronic diseases, a rapidly aging global population, and a heightened focus on reducing caregiver injuries are fueling the adoption of mechanical and powered patient transfer equipment.

Major companies operating in the patient handling equipment industry are GF Health Products, Inc., Arjo, Stryker, Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., Baxter, Prism Healthcare Group, FERNO, Taylor Healthcare Products, Inc., Invacare Corporation, GBUK Group Ltd., Medline Industries, LP., Sunrise Medical, LINET, BHARAT SURGICAL IMPEX, and Etac AB.

The growing focus on patient safety, mobility enhancement, and operational efficiency is further supporting market expansion. Technological advancements such as IoT-enabled devices, robotic-assisted transfer systems, and smart mobility aids are improving functionality, ease of use, and real-time monitoring capabilities. 

These innovations, combined with supportive healthcare regulations and increased investments in healthcare infrastructure, are accelerating the development and deployment of advanced patient handling equipment globally.

• In February 2025, Agiliti Health, Inc. introduced Essentia, an innovative multi-acuity hospital bed designed to enhance patient safety and accelerate mobility. The bed integrates advanced safety technologies and intuitive controls to reduce fall risk and support caregiver efficiency, aiming to improve outcomes across various care settings.

Key Highlights

1. The patient handling equipment industry size was valued at USD 11.09 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.58% from 2025 to 2032.
3. North America held a market share of 40.33% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 4.47 billion.
4. The wheelchairs & scooters segment garnered USD 3.14 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The critical care segment is expected to reach USD 6.98 billion by 2032.
6. The home healthcare settings segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR of 7.79% over the forecast period.
7. Europe is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.37% through the projection period.

Market Driver

Rising Incidence of Chronic Diseases and Disabilities

The growth of the patient handling equipment market is strongly influenced by the rising prevalence of chronic diseases and physical disabilities that impair patient mobility and independence. 

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic diseases account for 74% of all deaths worldwide, while approximately 1.3 billion people, representing around 16% of the global population, live with significant disabilities. 

Conditions such as stroke, arthritis, obesity, and neurological disorders are contributing to a growing patient population, that requires frequent assistance with transfers, repositioning, and mobility support in clinical as well as home care settings.

Healthcare providers are prioritizing safe patient handling practices to reduce complications such as pressure injuries, falls, and caregiver-related musculoskeletal disorders. This shift is supported by the growing emphasis on long-term care, rehabilitation, and post-acute services that demand reliable and ergonomic handling equipment. 

As the global significance of chronic illnesses continues to rise, the need for high-quality, user-friendly patient handling solutions is driving market expansion and encouraging innovations in assistive care technologies.

• In February 2025, VOCIC introduced the AX12 electric toilet lift seat, designed to restore independence and dignity by enhancing bathroom safety, simplifying use, and reducing physical strain. It is specifically designed for seniors and individuals with limited mobility. The motorized seat gently lifts users at the touch of a button and helps  minimize the risk of falls in daily routines.

Market Challenge

Inadequate Architectural Design of Healthcare Facilities

Inadequate architectural design of healthcare facilities presents a significant challenge to the widespread adoption of patient handling equipment. Several hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and elder care facilities were constructed without considering the spatial and structural requirements of modern assistive technologies. 

Features such as narrow doorways, cramped patient rooms, and low ceiling heights hinder the installation and effective use of equipment like ceiling lifts, bariatric beds, and mobile hoists. These spatial limitations make healthcare providers rely on manual handling methods, increasing the risk of injuries to patients and caregivers. 

Further, in older facilities, the absence of structural reinforcements makes retrofitting expensive and logistically complex, particularly in densely populated or budget-constrained regions.

To overcome these obstacles, facility planners and healthcare providers are integrating patient mobility considerations into new construction and renovation projects. This includes designs with wider clearances, reinforced ceilings, and modular room layouts that support flexible equipment use. Additionally, partnerships with architects, ergonomists, and equipment manufacturers are helping develop environments that promote safer and efficient patient handling.

Market Trend

Growing Adoption of Robotic & Automated Solutions

The growing adoption of robotic and automated solutions is reshaping the patient handling equipment market by improving safety, reducing caregiver strain, and enhancing operational efficiency. Robotic-assisted systems such as motorized patient lifts, automated transfer aids, and self-guided mobility devices are being used for managing repetitive and high-risk handling tasks in clinical and long-term care settings. 

These technologies offer consistent and precise movement, reducing the likelihood of human errors and minimizing the physical burden on healthcare staff. Robotic transfer devices can support smooth bed-to-chair transitions for immobile or bariatric patients, helping prevent musculoskeletal injuries among caregivers and ensuring patient comfort.

Advancements in artificial intelligence, motion sensors, and adaptive control systems are enabling smarter and more responsive equipment that can adjust to patient weight, position, and movement in real time. 

As labor shortages increase and the demand for high-quality care grows, robotic and automated handling solutions are emerging as a priority for healthcare facilities to improve clinical outcomes and workforce sustainability.

• In April 2025, Able Innovations introduced the ALTA Platform, a robotic patient transfer system designed to allow a single caregiver to safely and efficiently move patients between surfaces. Featuring smart sensors, motorized height adjustment, and powered mobility, the system aims to reduce caregiver injury risk while enhancing patient safety and operational efficiency.

Patient Handling Equipment Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Product Type	Wheelchairs & Scooters, Medical Beds, Lifting & Transfer Equipment, Mobility Assistive Equipment, Bathroom Safety Equipment, and Stretchers & Transport Chairs
By Care Type	Critical Care, Bariatric Care, Fall Prevention, and Wound Care
By End User	Hospitals, Home Healthcare Settings, Elderly Care Facilities, and Others (Rehab, etc.)
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Product Type (Wheelchairs & Scooters, Medical Beds, Lifting & Transfer Equipment, Mobility Assistive Equipment, Bathroom Safety Equipment, and Stretchers & Transport Chairs): The wheelchairs & scooters segment earned USD 3.14 billion in 2024, due to rising mobility needs among aging populations and individuals with disabilities.
• By Care Type (Critical Care, Bariatric Care, Fall Prevention, and Wound Care): The critical care segment held a share of 40.20% in 2024, attributed to the increasing demand for advanced patient handling solutions in intensive care settings.
• By End User (Hospitals, Home Healthcare Settings, Elderly Care Facilities, and Others (Rehab, etc): The hospitals segment is projected to reach USD 8.41 billion by 2032, owing to the growing need for efficient patient handling solutions to support high patient volumes and improve caregiver safety.

Patient Handling Equipment Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The North America patient handling equipment market share stood at 40.33% in 2024, valued at USD 4.47 billion. This dominance is attributed to the region’s advanced healthcare infrastructure, high awareness about patient and caregiver safety, and workplace safety regulations such as no-lift policies. 

Rising investments in healthcare automation and increasing demand for mobility-enhancing solutions in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and home care settings are further fueling market growth.

• In June 2023, Baxter introduced Progressa+, an advanced next-generation ICU bed, in the U.S. to address complex critical care needs. Developed in collaboration with healthcare professionals, the innovation features in-bed pulmonary therapies, enhanced skin protection, and integrated lift systems to promote early mobility and improve caregiver efficiency.

Moreover, the presence of key market players, ongoing technological innovations in robotic-assisted and IoT-enabled handling equipment, and a growing preference for ergonomically designed systems are driving regional adoption. 

Government initiatives aimed at reducing hospital-acquired injuries and the improvement of long-term care standards support favorable procurement policies. The region’s focus on improving healthcare delivery efficiency and expanding access to home-based care solutions is stimulating constant innovation and market expansion.

The Europe patient handling equipment industry is set to grow at a CAGR of 6.37% over the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the region’s aging population, increasing rates of mobility-related health conditions, and a heightened emphasis on patient safety and caregiver injury prevention. 

Rising demands for high-quality elder care and rehabilitation services is driving the adoption of advanced patient transfer and mobility support equipment across hospitals, nursing homes, and home care environments.

Strong public healthcare systems, combined with supportive reimbursement frameworks, are encouraging healthcare facilities to invest in ergonomic and technologically enhanced handling solutions. Government regulations mandating workplace safety and the reduction of manual patient handling further reinforce equipment deployment. 

Additionally, growing collaborations between healthcare providers, research institutions, and medical device manufacturers are fostering innovation and customization, improving product accessibility and functionality across diverse care settings, supporting regional market expansion.

• In April 2025, Sweden-based medical technology company Arjo launched the Maxi Move 5 floor lift to reinforce its leadership in patient handling. The new system introduces features aimed at reducing caregiver strain and enhancing patient comfort. It plans to rollout in 40 countries by the end of the year.

Regulatory Frameworks

•  In the European Union, the Medical Device Regulation (EU) 2017/745 governs medical devices, ensuring their safety, performance, and regulatory compliance. It emphasizes risk management, transparency, and post-market surveillance throughout the device lifecycle.
• In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates medical devices under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. Devices are classified by risk and must comply with registration, quality standards, premarket review, and post-market surveillance to ensure safety and effectiveness.
• In India, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) regulates medical devices under the Medical Devices Rules, 2017. The framework classifies devices by risk and mandates registration, licensing, quality management, and post-market surveillance to ensure safety and compliance.
• Globally, the International Organization for Standardization ISO 13485:2016 regulates quality management systems for medical devices. It ensures consistent design, production, and servicing practices focused on safety, risk management, and regulatory compliance across the medical device lifecycle.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) regulates medical devices through its Medical Devices and In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) program. It supports member states in ensuring the safety, quality, and performance of medical devices, promoting access and regulatory harmonization.

Competitive Landscape

The global patient handling equipment industry is characterized by a diverse mix of established medical device companies and specialized manufacturers, striving to expand their product portfolios and market reach through technological innovation, product differentiation, and strategic alliances. 

Leading firms are heavily investing in research and development to enhance equipment functionality, safety, and ease of use, with a growing focus on automation, IoT integration, and ergonomic design. 

Market players are collaborating with healthcare providers, rehabilitation centers, and distributors to strengthen global supply chains, streamline procurement, and improve after-sales service, enhancing their competitive positioning and accelerating market expansion.

• In March 2025, GF Health Products, Inc. launched the Hausted 5B800ST Electric All‑Purpose Bariatric Stretcher, designed for seamless use from pre-op to recovery. With an 800 lb (363 kg) capacity, power-driven steering option (Navigator SmartDrive), smart caster brakes, height range of 22-40 inches, and ergonomic controls, it improves patient comfort and staff safety by reducing manual handling and enhancing maneuverability.

List of Key Companies in Patient Handling Equipment Market:

• GF Health Products, Inc.
• Arjo
• Stryker
• Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.
• Baxter
• Prism Healthcare Group
• FERNO
• Taylor Healthcare Products, Inc.
• Invacare Corporation
• GBUK Group Ltd.
• Medline Industries, LP.
• Sunrise Medical
• LINET
• BHARAT SURGICAL IMPEX
• Etac AB

Recent Developments (M&A/ Product Launch)

• In February 2025, Stryker launched the ProCeed hospital bed for international markets, which featured a low height to reduce fall risk, enhanced mobility with a central fifth wheel, and customizable headboards. Designed for durability and ease of use, it supports patient safety and staff efficiency.
• In October 2024, Sunrise Medical, a global leader in assistive mobility solutions, acquired California‑based NuProdx Inc. to enhance its bathroom mobility offerings. It integrated NuProdx’s innovative tub-slider systems into its product portfolio for a stronger global market presence.