| Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. October 9, 2008 – Linde North America has acquired Respiratory Support Services, a leader in delivering post-acute respiratory care in the U.S.
Linde North America is a member of The Linde Group, a world-leading gases and engineering company that provides high acuity clinical services in Europe and South America and is a premier provider of medical gases and related solutions.
Respiratory Support Services (RSS), headquartered in Livingston, Tennessee, provides respiratory care services and equipment in a variety of settings, including sub-acute ventilator care, skilled nursing facilities and patient homes.
“Adding RSS’s advanced patient care capabilities enables Linde to offer a more complete product and service line in the U.S. This acquisition means more patients can benefit from RSS’ innovative approach to caring for high acuity respiratory patients, whether they are ventilated in skilled nursing facilities or in their own homes,” said Mike Walsh, president of LifeGas, the medical division of Linde North America.
Under the acquisition’s terms, RSS management staff and employees will join LifeGas, but the acquired company will operate as Linde RSS LLC.
This acquisition enables Linde to introduce to the U.S. market its global REMEO® program for innovative care of ventilated patients. REMEO®, Latin for “I return home,” attempts to bridge the gap between the hospital intensive care unit and the patient’s home to provide ventilation patients with an unprecedented continuum of care.
Kenth Drott, director of sales, marketing & CRM, LifeGas, said, “Linde has become the global leader in innovative care for highly complex patients. A central element of the REMEO program is helping patients reduce their dependence on nursing and ventilation. RSS’ respiratory therapists take a proactive approach that mirrors our own, and they have an impressive track record in weaning patients. Our ultimate goal is to send the patient home without a ventilator. Should that not be possible, we can offer long term ventilator care in our REMEO Centers or in the patients’ homes.”
RSS has been a leader in continually reviewing and improving the clinical quality standards for caring for ventilated patients. These higher standards have been adopted by the state of Tennessee and are now under consideration nationally.
Gene Gantt, CEO of RSS said, “Our team is very excited to join Linde in this global initiative. Linde has demonstrated a strong commitment to the highest quality care across the globe and we look forward to working with them on the U.S. expansion. The global knowledge assembled through the REMEO program will be unsurpassed in the arena of long term ventilator care. Ultimately the greatest benefit will be to the patients we serve.”
The Linde Group has more than 50,000 employees working in around 100 countries worldwide. In the 2007 financial year it achieved sales of EUR 12.3 billion (USD 18.7 billion). The strategy of The Linde Group is geared towards earnings-based and sustainable growth and focuses on the expansion of its international business with forward-looking products and services.
Linde acts responsibly towards its shareholders, business partners, employees, society and the environment – in every one of its business areas, regions and locations across the globe. Linde is committed to technologies and products that unite the goals of customer value and sustainable development.
For more information, see The Linde Group web site at www.linde.com
Contact:
Peter Gavigan
Linde corporate communications
908-771-1512
Peter.gavigan@linde.com |
