Concerns over Hygiene and HAI Spur Uptake of Decontamination Equipment in Eastern Europe

Aug. 3, 2011 - PRLog -- LONDON – 3rd August 2011 – Rising awareness about hygiene, infection control and hospital acquired infections (HAI), coupled with escalating concerns over healthcare expenditures, is fuelling growth in the Eastern European decontamination equipment market.

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan, Eastern European Decontamination Equipments Market, finds that the market earned revenues of $97.5 million in 2010 and estimates this to reach $128.3 million in 2017. The following market segments are covered in the research: cleaning equipment, disinfection equipment, sterilisation equipment and sterilisation assurance.

The emergence of new diseases and the increase in the number of fatal infections, such as severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and tuberculosis (TB), among others, have emphasised the importance of infection control in healthcare settings. High expenditures associated with nosocomial infections or HAI are highlighting the need for effective infection control.

“Decontamination processes effectively limit infection by cleaning, disinfecting and reprocessing devices and tools that are used in healthcare settings,” notes Frost & Sullivan Research Associate Brahadeesh Chandrasekaran. “Such procedures not only help in infection control, but also minimise hospital costs by enabling devices to be reused, rather than having to be purchased anew.”

New Eastern European member states of the European Union (EU) are improving healthcare-related infrastructure and equipment to match EU-mandated standards. Outdated systems are rapidly being replaced by modern equipment within the CSSD. Such trends will be one of the major drivers in the decontamination equipment market.

Lack of sufficient funding is the main reason for high price sensitivity in Eastern Europe. To contain costs, hospitals prefer low-cost products, which are often of inferior quality.

“However, as such low-cost products are provided below the average market price, they enjoy a competitive advantage over more expensive, high-quality counterparts,” remarks Brahadeesh. “As manufacturers cut prices to remain competitive, the total volume of revenues is set to shrink.”

The lack of adherence to manufacturer guidelines often affects the optimal functioning of the decontamination equipment. It results in device damage or failure and is further exacerbated by the lack of infection control specialists in the region.

This creates a real opportunity for equipment and device manufacturers to offer value-added services, such as training to infection control personnel and healthcare professionals. Such strategies can help companies gain an edge.

Companies can penetrate the Eastern European market by creating awareness about the benefits of infection control and by providing high-quality and advanced products. Furthermore, equipment manufacturers must attempt to change the mindset and thinking of end users and buyers.

With infection control laws becoming increasingly more stringent, the stage has been set for manufacturers to create enhanced awareness about the benefits of high-quality decontamination products  and services.

“High-quality products require limited after-sales services, thereby offering savings for customers,” concludes Brahadeesh. “From the manufacturer’s point of view, it is extremely important to provide additional customer services in order to gain the competitive edge.”

If you are interested in more information on this study, please send an e-mail with your contact details to Janique Morvan, Corporate Communications, at janique.morvan@frost.com.

Eastern European Decontamination Equipments Market is part of the Medical Devices Growth Partnership Service programme, which also includes research in the following markets:  Western European Decontamination Equipments Market, Western European Dental Implants Market, Medical Device Industry – Recovering from Recession and European Orthopedic Devices Market Outlook. All research included in subscriptions provide detailed market opportunities and industry trends that have been evaluated following extensive interviews with market participants.

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Eastern European Decontamination Equipments Market
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Contact:
Janique Morvan
Corporate Communications – Europe
P: +33 (0)1 42 81 20 37
M: +33 (0)6 79 22 41 42
E: janique.morvan@frost.com

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