In the early days of the crisis, patients were worried when we came to their homes but they were reassured by our protective equipment and our advice. It was our role to explain, with patience and education, hygiene rules that protect them.

JESSICA, HOME HEALTHCARE NURSE IN ITALY

From the very beginning of what has become a global health crisis, the Group has prepared and mobilized itself across the globe, putting its continuity plans into action and implementing remote working for its teams.

Healthcare teams on the front line

The Healthcare teams quickly organized themselves in order to meet the increased demand for medical oxygen, to guarantee the supply of equipment such as respirators for hospitals and to secure the return of stabilized patients to their homes. Within a few weeks, this mobilization became essential to helping healthcare workers save lives.

Medical oxygen demand increased five-fold, sometimes even six-fold, in the most affected areas. In China, the Huaerwen site teams tripled their cylinder-filling capacity in order to secure supplies to 450 hospitals in the east of the country. All over the world, our teams have had to implement or adapt installations in record time—such as the San Maurizio de Bolzano hospital in Italy, where an oxygen tank was installed in a few days.

To meet the increased needs of hospitals in France and in response to the Government’s request, Air Liquide has partnered with Groupe PSA, Schneider Electric and Valeo to produce 10,000 respirators over 50 days, the equivalent of its usual production over three years. “We faced a truly indus trial, but also human challenge”, explains Benoît Potier, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Group.

Supporting hospitals also means relieving them. Working alongside medical teams, Home Healthcare entities in Europe have supported the return home of COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen therapy treatment after leaving the hospital. They have also continued to support patients suffering from chronic diseases through the use of special measures: remote video follow-ups and home visits for the most critical patients, in accordance with specific safety protocols.

The significant mobilization efforts of our employees have been recognized many times by healthcare professionals and patients alike.

Exceptional measures in an unprecedented situation

Air Liquide teams have been involved in initiatives that have emerged in China, Europe, the United States, Brazil, etc. For example, they have been working to convert certain locations (parking lots, stadiums, etc.) into field hospitals. Over four days, the Palacio Municipal convention center in Madrid (IFEMA) was turned into Spain’s largest hospital, with 5,500 beds, over a third supplied with medical gases.

In France, Air Liquide was involved in the implementation of medicalized high-speed trains in order to relieve over- crowded hospitals in the East region. The Group also contributed to the early opening of a new intensive care unit at the Henri-Mondor AP-HP hospital⁽¹⁾, located in the Paris area.