Hill-Rom
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Medical technology |
| Predecessor | Hillenbrand Industries (medical equipment division) |
| Founded | 1915 in Batesville, Indiana, United States |
| Fate | Acquired by Baxter International in December 2021 |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
Area served | Worldwide |
Key people | John Groetelaars (President and CEO in 2019) |
| Products | Hospital smart beds, patient monitoring systems, communication solutions, diagnostic tools, respiratory health products, surgical tables, IT services, intelligent care technologies |
| Owner | Baxter International |
Number of employees | Approximately 10,000 (2019) |
| Parent | Baxter International |
Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. is a U.S.-based medical technology company operating as a subsidiary of Baxter International, with its main office located in Chicago, Illinois. Established in 1915 in Batesville, Indiana, Hillrom specializes in advanced hospital smart beds, patient monitoring systems, communication solutions for care teams, diagnostic tools, respiratory health products, surgical tables, IT services, and intelligent care technologies. In 2019, the firm generated revenues totaling US$2.91 billion and had a workforce of around 10,000 employees.
History
Initially part of Hillenbrand Industries, Hillrom separated from the casket manufacturing segment in 2008 to focus exclusively on medical equipment. John Groetelaars led the company as President and CEO during its 2019 rebranding to Hillrom, which marked a strategic pivot toward digital health innovations and connected care software platforms. Notable products include the Nurse Call Hospital Alert System, High Precision Locating (HPL) for staff and asset tracking, and the smart Centrella Hospital beds.
In September 2015, Hillrom expanded its portfolio by acquiring Welch Allyn Inc., retaining the brand for patient monitoring and diagnostic devices. The company further enhanced its hospital bed offerings in 2018 by integrating EarlySense’s vital sign sensor technology to enable continuous patient monitoring. The connected care segment grew in April 2019 with the acquisition of Voalte, a healthcare communication platform utilized by more than 220,000 clinicians.
Additional technological capabilities were incorporated through acquisitions such as Mortara Instrument, Trumpf Medical, Allen Medical, and Liko. The Aspen Surgical division was sold off in 2019. To strengthen predictive analytics and clinical communication software solutions, Hillrom purchased Excel Medical Electronics in January 2020.
The Centrella bed received the 2017 Stanley Caplan User Centered Design Award after comprehensive research involving hospital staff across various units. In June 2020, Hillrom introduced a remote vital signs monitoring system by combining Welch Allyn's Spot Vital Signs 4400 device with its Connex application to securely transfer patient information.
Hillrom’s product development strategy prioritizes contextual inquiry to ensure alignment with clinical workflows and patient requirements. Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the company adapted its MetaNeb respiratory device to aid ventilated patients with lung clearance; Emory University documented positive results using MetaNeb on COVID-19 cases.
In 2022, Hillrom launched an enhanced High Precision Locating (HPL) system employing Ultra Wide Band (UWB) technology for real-time tracking of personnel and equipment integrated into its Nurse Call platform.
In September 2021, Baxter International announced an agreement to acquire Hillrom for $12.4 billion; this transaction was finalized in December 2021 and broadened Baxter’s global footprint while expanding its offerings in connected care technologies.
Services
Hillrom’s business model focuses on delivering comprehensive healthcare solutions across several core areas:
- Care Communications: A secure communication infrastructure that links healthcare providers with patients through voice calls, alarm systems, and text messaging to improve collaboration and operational workflows.
- Patient Support Systems: Innovative products such as intelligent beds and patient lifts aimed at enhancing safety and quality of care within healthcare settings.
- Front Line Care: A range of devices including ventilators and vital signs monitors designed to support frontline clinicians in diagnosis and patient management.
- Surgical Solutions: A diverse assortment of surgical equipment encompassing surgical and examination lighting, gynecological/uro/pal instruments, surgical tables, as well as orthopedic and spine-related products tailored for various surgical procedures.
These product lines strengthen Hillrom’s position in the medical technology market by addressing the needs of healthcare providers worldwide.