Paris, 9 September 2013

Over 1 million patients worldwide now treated at home by Air Liquide Healthcare

press release
CONTACT: Air Liquide Healthcare communications Muriel Doucet + 33 (0)1 49 69 46 46

The increase in chronic diseases is a serious public health issue. Since 2008, WHO has encouraged the development of effective measures to counter (1,2) the problem . The very reason for the existence of the home healthcare activity is to enable patients to receive treatment while continuing to live at home. Air Liquide Healthcare is the European leader in this sector, facilitating treatment for patients at home and so giving one million people suffering from chronic diseases the opportunity to live independently in their own home whilst still benefiting from specialised medical treatment at a lower cost. The world is currently facing a sharp increase in chronic diseases such as chronic respiratory conditions, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, etc. Currently responsible for 63% of deaths, these long term conditions are the primary cause of death worldwide and take up a significant proportion of healthcare needs and (3) expenditure (more than 75% of healthcare costs are due to chronic conditions) . Given the evolving epidemiology, investment in better care for patients with chronic diseases will make it possible to improve their quality of life whilst also helping to control costs. Air Liquide is specialised in medical gases and has been the European forerunner for over 30 years in providing medical oxygen to patients with chronic respiratory failure who have been discharged from hospital to return home. Air Liquide Healthcare is involved from the time of discharge, caring for patients at home whose treatment requires the use of medical respiratory assistance, infusion, or nutritional assistance equipment. It also implements personalized follow-up that improves the therapeutic efficacy of treatments. From the time of the initial prescription, Air Liquide Healthcares multidisciplinary teams act to support the patient and provide the required equipment prescribed by the doctor. They train the patient and his or her family and companions in the proper use of the treatment and act as a link between the various healthcare professionals involved with the patient throughout treatment. For example in 2012, Air Liquide Healthcare made over three million home visits for respiratory diseases alone. Currently, over one million patients worldwide, along with the healthcare professionals treating them, are putting their trust in Air Liquide Healthcare. With over 30 years of experience of working in home healthcare, Air Liquide Healthcare has the necessary experience and expertise to guarantee high quality treatment for these patients. Its qualified medical teams are made up of pharmacists, nurses, nutritionists and technical advisors, who all have in depth knowledge of both the various diseases and their treatments. In total, of the 10,000 staff working at Air Liquide Healthcare, 7,000 men and women work directly for the well being and treatment of patients in their homes. The teams undergo continuous training in the
(1,2)

Air Liquide Healthcare

Air Liquide Healthcare supplies medical gases, home healthcare services, hygiene products, medical equipment and specialty ingredients. In 2012, it served over 7,500 hospitals and 1 million patients at home throughout the world. The Groups Healthcare business reached 2,482 million in revenues in 2012, with 10,000 employees.

Home healthcare
Air Liquide, European leader and rd 3 worldwide in home healthcare, provides home healthcare services in compliance with medical prescription for patients suffering from chronic diseases such as COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), sleep apnea and diabetes. These home healthcare services are being developed in addition to hospital care, enabling patients to enjoy better quality of life and local authorities to reduce costs. Home Healthcare represents 43% of Air Liquides total 2012 Healthcare revenue.

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latest technology available for use in the home, and all staff members are highly proficient in all health and safety and traceability procedures. Adherence to treatment is a major issue in improving measures to combat chronic disease. In developed countries, adherence to long term therapies in the (4) general population is only 50% . Thanks to its experience and ability to innovate, Air Liquide Healthcare is developing and offering monitoring tools and solutions that encourage compliance, involving the patient in making the management of his or her illness increasingly efficient. Pascal Vinet, Vice President Healthcare Global Operations and member of the Executive Committee of the Air Liquide Group, says: Our objective is to increase patients autonomy and improve their quality of life, while ensuring that the treatment is adhered to. In this respect, we work closely with the physicians who prescribe the treatments and entrust their patients to us. As part of working to increase the effectiveness of the fight against chronic diseases, we offer methods of monitoring patients which enable doctors and healthcare professionals to target and personalise their intervention in order to improve therapeutic management.
1. WHO. Action Plan 2008-2013 for the Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non communicable Diseases (cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, chronic respiratory diseases http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789242597417_fre.pdf, accessed 09/07 /2013 2. WHO. Action Plan for the Implementation of the European Strategy for the Prevention and Control of Non communicable Diseases 2012-2016. http://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/174628/e96638-Fre.pdf, accessed 09/07 /2013.
3.

http://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/publications/aag/chronic.htm

4. Adherence to Long Term Therapies. Evidence for Action. World Health Organization 2003: 1-194.

Air Liquide is the world leader in gases for industry, health and the environment, and is present in 80 countries with close to 50,000 employees. Oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and rare gases have been at the core of Air Liquides activities since its creation in 1902. Using these molecules, Air Liquide continuously reinvents its business, anticipating the needs of current and future markets. The Group innovates for the good of society while delivering profitable growth and consistent performance. Innovative technologies that curb polluting emissions, lower industrys energy use, recover and reuse natural resources or develop the energies of tomorrow, such as hydrogen, biofuels or photovoltaic energy Oxygen for hospitals, home healthcare, fighting nosocomial infections Air Liquide combines many products and technologies to develop valuable applications and services not only for its customers but also for society. A partner for the long term, Air Liquide relies on employee commitment, customer trust and shareholder support to pursue its vision of sustainable, competitive growth. The diversity of Air Liquides teams, businesses, markets and geographic presence provides a solid and sustainable base for its development and strengthens its ability to push back its own limits, conquer new territories and build its future. Air Liquide explores the best that air can offer to preserve life, staying true to its Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development approach. In 2012, the Groups revenues amounted to 15.3 billion of which 82% were generated outside France. Air Liquide is listed on the Paris Euronext stock exchange (compartment A) and is a member of the CAC 40 and Dow Jones Euro Stoxx 50 indexes.

www.airliquide.com