POCs on the rise, survey finds

BOSTON - HME providers will continue to increase adoption of portable oxygen concentrators, to the tune of about 30% over the next 12 months, according to a 2Q 2018 survey on oxygen and sleep trends from Needham & Co.

Applied Home Healthcare's OxyGo Fit and OxyGo were the highest rated POCs at 5.9 and 5.8 out of 7, followed by Inogen's G4 and G3, both at 5.7, and Respironics' SimplyGo Mini at 5.1.

Survey respondents identify an average of 42% of their ambulatory patients as candidates for POCs, a number Needham expects to increase.

Asian inroads

3B Medical is gaining traction in the U.S. CPAP market, the survey found, although their product ratings were lower than major manufacturers in all categories.

3B Medical's share of flow generator purchases is expected to increase from 1.7% to 2.2% and its share of mask purchases to increase from 1.6% to 3% over the next 12 months, according to the survey.

Shifting shares

ResMed looks to be losing market share, with their flow generator purchases expected to decrease by 2.1% and mask purchases to decrease by 5.8%, the survey found

Respironics' share of flow generator purchase is expected to increase by 1.3% and their mask purchases by 3.5%, according to the survey.

Sleep growth

On average, survey respondents said their sleep patient volume increased by 5.7% in the past 12 months and expect it to grow by 7% in the next 12 months.

Of the respondents, 21% saw a decline in sleep patient growth in the past 12 months and 16% expect a decline in the next 12 months.

Sales of travel CPAPs are expected to grow 7% in the next 12 months, which Needham attributes to Respironics' recent entry into the market.