Exciting Developments in the Markets Attract an Increasing Number of Users, Offsetting Reduced Margins

LONDON, January 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Europe has the highest elderlypopulation in the world, with nearly 18.0 per cent of its people aged above65. The continuous increase in life expectancy is mainly due to advances inmedical technologies and therapies. This population enlarges the potentialpatient base for homecare and non-hospital devices.

The expanding number of people above 65 and the resultant decrease in thetax-paying patient base is compelling hospitals across Europe to developinnovative strategies to contain escalating costs. In such a situation,homecare and non-hospital-based therapies seem to be the ideal solution. "In recent years, physicians have realised that the patient's quality oflife can be increased significantly by encouraging and enabling them tocontinue treatments away from the conventional hospital environment, eitherin a homecare or in a non-hospital situation," says Ms. Claire Staniforth,Industry Analyst with Frost & Sullivan (http://medicaldevices.frost.com/).

Germany is the most attractive market for non-hospital devices, mainlydue to its large population size. The heightened need for nursing staff bodeswell for the move towards community-based, homecare and non-hospital careequipment such as infusion therapy devices and incontinence management. Companies have started increasingly investing in research and developmentand thereby stimulating interest in and demand for advanced products as wellas maintaining steady revenue streams, despite the reduced product prices andhealthcare budgetary restraints.

"With market participants producing dedicated products for use by nursingstaff, care givers and patients themselves, healthcare professionals areincreasingly trusting their safety, suitability and effectiveness," notes Ms.Staniforth.

"Many homecare and non-hospital devices have user-friendlyinterfaces and computer-aided therapy, which ensures coordinated andcontrolled disease management." In addition to the improved features that are expected to significantlyresult in advances in adoption rates of the products, new reimbursementsystems have also encouraged hospitals to adopt homecare and non-hospitaldevices.

Innovations in reimbursement policies such as the diagnosis-relatedgroups (DRGs) have helped reduce the period of hospital stays. Since underthis scheme, hospitals receive a flat-rate fee depending on the diseaseinstead of the duration of hospital stay, they have to offer the mostcost-effective, resource-efficient means of continued treatment and care.

The widespread adoption of DRG reimbursement systems across Europe hascut into the revenues from in-patient treatments and has, instead, increasedthose from homecare and non-hospital managed therapies.

For greater revenues, companies need to provide advanced solutions suchas wireless technology, which facilitates remote patient monitoring andtelemedicine by enabling data transfer, processing, storage and networkingservices. "Patients are more receptive to using homecare and non-hospital devicesif they have in-built, wireless monitoring capabilities," explains Ms.Staniforth. "Vendors can also increase their acceptance by ensuring that thedevices do not impinge on normal day-to-day life.".

If you are interested in a virtual brochure, which providesmanufacturers, end-users, and other industry participants an overview of thelatest analysis of the Opportunities and Scope for the European Homecare andNon-Hospital Devices Markets (B676-54, then send an e-mail to Radhika MenonTheodore, Corporate Communications, at rmtheodore@frost.com with thefollowing information: your full name, company name, title, telephone number,fax number and e-mail address.

Upon receipt of the above information, anoverview will be sent to you via e-mail. Opportunities and Scope for the European Homecare and Non-HospitalDevices Markets B676-54 Background Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company, has been partneringwith clients to support the development of innovative strategies for morethan 40 years.

The company's industry expertise integrates growth consulting,growth partnership services and corporate management training to identify anddevelop opportunities. Frost & Sullivan serves an extensive clientele thatincludes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, and the investmentcommunity, by providing comprehensive industry coverage that reflects aunique global perspective and combines ongoing analysis of markets,technologies, econometrics, and demographics.