5.0. EDSR 10-14-1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SeQuin Hospital Bed Corporation • Page 3 SeQuin will focus its efforts on three major components of the specialty bed business: nursing homes, home health, and acute care hospitals. Nursing Homes - In 1991 there were 33,006 nursing and related care facilities in the U.S., representing over 1.9 million beds. Of these facilities 10,527 had 75 beds or more and 7,173 provided 25-74 beds. This represents a 29 percent increase in the total number of beds over 1986. Numerous published reports indicate that such dramatic increases are destined to continue. Home Health Care - According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 1994 there were an estimated 1.4 million patients being cared for in the home or at hospices on any given day, with 2.6 million patients over 65 being discharged from some form of care facility. In is commonly recognized that these numbers are probably understated because of the difficulty in obtaining accurate information. Quality of life decisions and cost containment factors are causing more and more patients to be cared for in the home. If those patients require turning, it often results in the spouse or other caregiver being forced to awaken during the night to maintain the turning schedule. Frequently the spouse, especially if they are elderly, cannot physically turn the ipatient without risk of injury to themselves or the patient. Because of these factors, SeQuin believes that home care will be a significant market for its oscillating beds, particularly the SeQuin 1000 which can be programmed to turn the patient without caregiver intervention for scheduled periods. Since both SeQuin products are priced to retail at slightly more than conventional hospital beds, clients in the home care setting will be attracted to the convenience and therapeutic results they offer. Acute Care Hospitals - In 1994 there were 6,374 hospitals with 3,492 having more than 100 beds. This segment of the health care market is declining at two to three percent per year as more patients are released earlier and cared for in the home and other types of facilities. Still, these hospitals provide a large market for products that are cost-effective and are capable of producing favorable and documentable results. Intensive care units (ICU) constantly confront pulmonary issues with patients recovering from surgery or major illnesses. Sub-acute care hospitals are new on the scene and will provide additional marketing opportunities. Patients in rehabilitation centers, such as quadriplegics and accident victims, also require oscillation. In this area, there is a particular need for beds like SeQuin products which are designed around a stable frame and support system, for use with patients with spinal cord injuries. •