A new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm, projects that U.S. demand for infection prevention products and services will expand 4.8 percent annually to reach $24.6 billion in 2018. 

“The increasing enforcement of safeguards aimed at reducing the incidence of health care-associated infections (HAIs) in medical settings will underlie gains," explains Bill Martineau, an analyst for the research group. "The upgrading of quality control and quality assurance standards in life science research and pharmaceutical and medical device production facilities will also contribute to growth.”

According to this and other trends presented in the study, titled "Infection Prevention Products & Services," demand for infection prevention supplies will increase 4.7 percent annually to $18.6 billion in 2018. 

Protective apparel and textiles will lead revenues as stepped up efforts by hospitals to reduce the risk of HAIs in surgery and other invasive procedures broaden the use of premium, barrier enhanced gloves, drapes, gowns, face masks, and other apparel and textiles.  Safety enhanced medical devices will post the fastest growth in demand among infection prevention supplies as medical providers seek to improve the safety of blood collection, catheterization, drug delivery, and invasive surgical procedures. 

Total demand for infection prevention equipment is forecast to expand 2.9 percent annually to $990 million in 2018. Efforts by the health care and life science sectors to keep up with advancing infection prevention technologies and capabilities will increase growth prospects for sterilization, washing/disinfecting, infectious waste disposal, and various other equipment such as scrub stations, incubators, and ultrasonic cleaners.  Convenience, cost, and regulatory compliance advantages will expand the US market for infection prevention services 5.6 percent annually. 

Infectious waste disposal services will dominate demand as government restrictions on onsite incineration remain and force health facilities to use outside firms for infectious waste collection and disposal. 

"Infection Prevention Products & Services," which was published in May and is 312 pages, is available for $5,200.

To learn more abot the study availabale from The Freedonia Group, click here.