The patient lateral transfer market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.88 billion in 2025 to $5.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising hospitalization and surgical admission volumes, increasing awareness of patient handling safety protocols, early introduction of sliding sheets and manual transfer aids, growing emphasis on reducing caregiver injuries in hospital settings, expansion of lateral transfer usage in intensive care and emergency departments.
The patient lateral transfer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.58 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to aging patient population requiring frequent transfers, rising demand for air-assisted powered transfer mattresses, increasing adoption of single patient use and disposable transfer products, growing lateral transfer utilization in ambulatory surgical centers, expanding implementation of safe patient handling programs across healthcare facilities. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses in acute and critical care units, increasing utilization of sliding sheets and transfer aids for safe patient repositioning, growing demand for single-patient-use transfer products to reduce cross-contamination, expansion of lateral transfer solutions in ambulatory surgical and day-care settings, increasing focus on caregiver safety and musculoskeletal injury prevention during transfers.
The rising hospitalization rate is expected to drive the growth of the patient lateral transfer market in the coming years. Hospitalization refers to the admission of a patient to a hospital for medical care, treatment, or surgical procedures that require at least an overnight stay under professional supervision. The increasing hospitalization rate reflects the growing number of individuals being admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. Lateral transfer is utilized in hospital settings to reposition patients, facilitate care delivery, and enable assessment of the patient’s condition. For example, in February 2024, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, a Canada-based healthcare organization, Canada recorded 2.96 million acute inpatient hospitalizations in 2022-2023, an increase from 2.88 million hospitalizations in 2022. Therefore, the rising hospitalization rate is driving the growth of the patient lateral transfer market.
Major companies operating in the patient lateral transfer market are emphasizing technological advancements, such as lift-free, air-assisted patient positioning devices, to improve patient movement, repositioning efficiency, and caregiver safety while minimizing physical effort. Lift-free, air-assisted patient positioning devices utilize air flow channels, low-friction materials, and optimized pad configurations to facilitate smooth lateral transfers, support demanding procedural positions such as Trendelenburg and lithotomy, and accommodate patients with high body mass index or limited mobility. For instance, in February 2024, Xodus Medical, a US-based medical device company, introduced two new configurations of its Pink Pad Air-Assist system. The Pink Pad Air-Assist Trendelenburg includes an additional distal air channel to enhance lifting and transfer of heavier patients, while the Pink Pad Air-Assist EXT + Trendelenburg extends up to 72 inches with redesigned air channels and pad strips, enabling safer, more adaptable, and efficient patient repositioning across diverse clinical settings.
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 are Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., Scan Medical Co Inc., Hill-Rom Holdings Inc., Wideblue Ltd., Arjo AB, Etac AB, Handicare Group AB, AliMed Inc., Prism Medical Inc., EZ Way Inc., HoverTech International, 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 2025. The regions covered in the patient lateral transfer market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Tariffs are impacting the patient lateral transfer market by increasing import and material costs for polymers, textiles, inflatable components, and mechanical parts used in air-assisted mattresses, sliding sheets, transfer straps, and lifting slings, which has raised manufacturing and procurement expenses across reusable and single-patient-use product segments. The effects are more visible in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions that rely on cross-border sourcing and contract manufacturing for powered and manual transfer systems used in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. These higher landed costs have led to pricing pressure and delayed bulk purchasing in cost-sensitive facilities; however, tariffs are also encouraging localized assembly, regional supplier development, and near-shoring initiatives, producing selective positive outcomes for domestic producers.
The patient lateral transfer market research report is one of a series of new reports 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.
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.
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.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
The patient lateral transfer market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.58 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to aging patient population requiring frequent transfers, rising demand for air-assisted powered transfer mattresses, increasing adoption of single patient use and disposable transfer products, growing lateral transfer utilization in ambulatory surgical centers, expanding implementation of safe patient handling programs across healthcare facilities. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of air-assisted lateral transfer mattresses in acute and critical care units, increasing utilization of sliding sheets and transfer aids for safe patient repositioning, growing demand for single-patient-use transfer products to reduce cross-contamination, expansion of lateral transfer solutions in ambulatory surgical and day-care settings, increasing focus on caregiver safety and musculoskeletal injury prevention during transfers.
The rising hospitalization rate is expected to drive the growth of the patient lateral transfer market in the coming years. Hospitalization refers to the admission of a patient to a hospital for medical care, treatment, or surgical procedures that require at least an overnight stay under professional supervision. The increasing hospitalization rate reflects the growing number of individuals being admitted to hospitals for medical treatment. Lateral transfer is utilized in hospital settings to reposition patients, facilitate care delivery, and enable assessment of the patient’s condition. For example, in February 2024, according to the Canadian Institute for Health Information, a Canada-based healthcare organization, Canada recorded 2.96 million acute inpatient hospitalizations in 2022-2023, an increase from 2.88 million hospitalizations in 2022. Therefore, the rising hospitalization rate is driving the growth of the patient lateral transfer market.
Major companies operating in the patient lateral transfer market are emphasizing technological advancements, such as lift-free, air-assisted patient positioning devices, to improve patient movement, repositioning efficiency, and caregiver safety while minimizing physical effort. Lift-free, air-assisted patient positioning devices utilize air flow channels, low-friction materials, and optimized pad configurations to facilitate smooth lateral transfers, support demanding procedural positions such as Trendelenburg and lithotomy, and accommodate patients with high body mass index or limited mobility. For instance, in February 2024, Xodus Medical, a US-based medical device company, introduced two new configurations of its Pink Pad Air-Assist system. The Pink Pad Air-Assist Trendelenburg includes an additional distal air channel to enhance lifting and transfer of heavier patients, while the Pink Pad Air-Assist EXT + Trendelenburg extends up to 72 inches with redesigned air channels and pad strips, enabling safer, more adaptable, and efficient patient repositioning across diverse clinical settings.
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 are Stryker Corporation, Medline Industries Inc., Scan Medical Co Inc., Hill-Rom Holdings Inc., Wideblue Ltd., Arjo AB, Etac AB, Handicare Group AB, AliMed Inc., Prism Medical Inc., EZ Way Inc., HoverTech International, 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 2025. The regions covered in the patient lateral transfer market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Tariffs are impacting the patient lateral transfer market by increasing import and material costs for polymers, textiles, inflatable components, and mechanical parts used in air-assisted mattresses, sliding sheets, transfer straps, and lifting slings, which has raised manufacturing and procurement expenses across reusable and single-patient-use product segments. The effects are more visible in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions that rely on cross-border sourcing and contract manufacturing for powered and manual transfer systems used in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers. These higher landed costs have led to pricing pressure and delayed bulk purchasing in cost-sensitive facilities; however, tariffs are also encouraging localized assembly, regional supplier development, and near-shoring initiatives, producing selective positive outcomes for domestic producers.
The patient lateral transfer market research report is one of a series of new reports 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.
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.
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.
This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Characteristics
3. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Supply Chain Analysis
4. Global Patient Lateral Transfer Market Trends and Strategies
5. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Analysis of End Use Industries
7. Global Patient Lateral Transfer Strategic Analysis Framework, Current Market Size, Market Comparisons and Growth Rate Analysis
8. Global Patient Lateral Transfer Total Addressable Market (TAM) Analysis for the Market
9. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Segmentation
10. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Regional and Country Analysis
11. Asia-Pacific Patient Lateral Transfer Market
12. China Patient Lateral Transfer Market
13. India Patient Lateral Transfer Market
14. Japan Patient Lateral Transfer Market
15. Australia Patient Lateral Transfer Market
16. Indonesia Patient Lateral Transfer Market
17. South Korea Patient Lateral Transfer Market
18. Taiwan Patient Lateral Transfer Market
19. South East Asia Patient Lateral Transfer Market
20. Western Europe Patient Lateral Transfer Market
21. UK Patient Lateral Transfer Market
22. Germany Patient Lateral Transfer Market
23. France Patient Lateral Transfer Market
24. Italy Patient Lateral Transfer Market
25. Spain Patient Lateral Transfer Market
26. Eastern Europe Patient Lateral Transfer Market
27. Russia Patient Lateral Transfer Market
28. North America Patient Lateral Transfer Market
29. USA Patient Lateral Transfer Market
30. Canada Patient Lateral Transfer Market
31. South America Patient Lateral Transfer Market
32. Brazil Patient Lateral Transfer Market
33. Middle East Patient Lateral Transfer Market
34. Africa Patient Lateral Transfer Market
36. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles
37. Patient Lateral Transfer Market Other Major and Innovative Companies
40. Patient Lateral Transfer Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies
41. Appendix
List of Tables
Executive Summary
Patient Lateral Transfer Market Global Report 2026 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses 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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Description
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 answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, 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. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
- The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
- The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
- The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
- 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 technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
- The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
- The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
- 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.
- Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
- 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 company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.
Report Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By Products: Air-Assisted Lateral Transfer Mattress; Sliding Sheets; Accessories2) 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 Mattresses2) 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; Medline Industries Inc.; Scan Medical Co Inc.; Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.; Wideblue Ltd.; Arjo AB; Etac AB; Handicare Group AB; AliMed Inc.; Prism Medical Inc.; EZ Way Inc.; HoverTech International; 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; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; 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 Segmentation: 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: Word, PDF or Interactive Report + Excel Dashboard
Added Benefits:
- Bi-Annual Data Update
- Customisation
- Expert Consultant Support
Companies Mentioned
The companies featured in this Patient Lateral Transfer market report include:- Stryker Corporation
- Medline Industries Inc.
- Scan Medical Co Inc.
- Hill-Rom Holdings Inc.
- Wideblue Ltd.
- Arjo AB
- Etac AB
- Handicare Group AB
- AliMed Inc.
- Prism Medical Inc.
- EZ Way Inc.
- HoverTech International
- 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.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 250 |
| Published | February 2026 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 - 2030 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 5.32 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 7.58 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 9.2% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 22 |
