Baxter launches Progressa ICU bed in Korea with early rehab features

Baxter Korea has introduced its Progressa Bed System at Asan Medical Center (AMC), marking the first installation of the advanced intensive care unit (ICU) bed in Korea, the medtech company announced Monday.

Two units were deployed in March and are currently in use for patients requiring early rehabilitation in the hospital’s ICU.

The Progressa Bed System is an electric ICU bed designed to support progressive mobility protocols. Developed by Baxter, the system adapts to each patient’s condition to guide step-by-step rehabilitation while reducing physical strain on caregivers through integrated lift, tilt, and positioning features.

Baxter Korea emphasized the system’s clinical relevance amid ongoing ICU staffing shortages and rising acuity. The company noted that immobile ICU patients face elevated risks of complications such as ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)—a lung infection that can occur in patients on mechanical ventilation—and pressure ulcers, or bedsores—conditions that increase both patient mortality and hospital costs.

VAP, for instance, can prolong stays by 12 days and cost an additional $40,000 to $90,000 per case, according to Baxter Korea. Stage 3–4 pressure ulcers can cost over $43,000 to treat.

According to internal data shared by Baxter Korea, in a neuro ICU setting, patient movement increased by 300 percent, ICU length of stay decreased by 13 percent, and total hospitalization dropped from 12 to 8.6 days. Hospital-acquired infections declined by 60 percent, and VAP fell from 2.14 to zero per 1,000 ventilator days, Baxter Korea added. 

“Progressa is built to make early mobility in the ICU not just possible, but practical,” said Jung Woo-yong, marketing manager at Baxter Korea. He noted that the bed uses internal air pressure to gently shift a patient’s position, helping clear the lungs and improve circulation. It also includes a chest vibration feature designed to loosen mucus and support easier breathing.

The system also includes design features that protect patients during repositioning. When the head section is elevated, the bed automatically expands and slides backward to minimize slippage and reduce lower back pressure. One study found this reduced patient movement during bed adjustments by up to 86 percent compared to conventional beds.

Progressa also helps protect patients’ skin by regulating the bed’s temperature and moisture. According to Baxter Korea, its microclimate management features are designed to reduce pressure, friction, and heat—factors that often lead to skin breakdown and bedsores.