The market for disposable kits and trays continues to grow, led by high-volume sales in the urology, general-use and blood gas kit and tray markets. As hospitals increasingly emphasize cost containment and grapple with stricter Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations, kit and tray manufacturers are promoting the idea that their products will save money for hospitals in the long run and will reduce the incidence of cross-contamination.

Revenues for disposable kits and trays totaled $557.8 million in 1993, representing more than 193 million units shipped to U.S. hospitals, according to a report recently released by Frost & Sullivan Inc., Mountain View, Calif. The report projects a compound annual growth rate of 8.1% in the hospital kit and tray market for 1993 through 2000.

The strong market for procedure-specific disposable kits and trays is being driven by the need for infection control, cost-containment pressures, the demand for convenient-to-use products and the aging of the population. The introduction of safety devices, technological advances in product lines and the development of customized products have contributed to growth in the market.

Kits and trays offered in many configurations

Disposable kits and trays contain an array of products assembled for specific procedures. The disposable kit and tray market includes 20 product markets in six market segments. Trays are produced in single- or double-deck configurations, and all components of the disposable tray are intended for one-time use on a single patient.

Most companies produce prepackaged trays in standard configurations, but the availability of custom kits and trays has resulted in a seemingly infinite variety of products. Common components include drapes, sponges, prep applicators, gloves, towels, swabs and other basic supplies. Needles and syringes often are included, as are local anesthetics. Trays also may contain items specific to a particular procedure. For example, scissors are included in laceration and suture-removal trays, but not in Foley urology trays.

Growth strongest in general-use kits and trays

The largest product group is general-use kit and trays, which consist of low-priced, high-volume commodity products. Growth in this area is strong because of the convenience, disposability and infection control offered by the products.

The general-use kit and tray market is highly diverse and covers more than 1,000 types of kits and trays. The general-use line encompasses kits and trays used for lacerations, suture removal, enema, scrub and prep, total parenteral nutrition/central venous pressure dressings and I.V. start, as well as custom kits for these procedures.

The anesthesia kit and tray market includes prepackaged and custom products containing local anesthesia supplies. Regional anesthesia products are restricted to the popular spinal and epidural anesthesia products. Anesthesia kits and trays represent a competitive and growth-oriented market that is being driven by the demand for customized procedure-specific products.

The blood gas kit market is expanding with increased use of blood sampling to measure electrolytes, blood oxygen, carbon dioxide and pH levels. This market is saturated with safety devices intended to prevent the risk of infection from needle-stick injuries. This is a product line in which a majority of the products are prepackaged because of the basic simplicity of the kit.

Biopsy kits and trays are divided into bone-marrow biopsy, soft tissue biopsy and custom areas. The more expensive coring needles are used increasingly in place of aspirating needles because they deliver better samples. Automated technology--represented by the introduction of disposable automatic coring biopsy guns--is becoming a prominent part of this market. Growth is this area is being fueled by increasing preference for minimally invasive surgical techniques.

The urology market segment is divided into Foley, urethral and irrigation product lines. Infection control is the driving force behind product innovation in this industry. Urology kits and trays are including more expensive infection-control products, such as closed Foley catheters.

Use of urological products is significantly greater among older people, and an aging population is contributing to growth in this segment of the market.

Barium enema and angiography kits and trays are being customized more often than in the past, and kits in this segment of the market show the greatest variation in the volume of products included.  Medical Supplies.