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The correct oxygen regulation device depends on delivery method to the patient. Ventilators, anesthesia machines and other medical equipment have built-in flow control, so for those applications, only gas pressure regulation is necessary on the gas source.

In other applications, oxygen is delivered directly to the patient via a nasal cannula, oxygen mask, face tent, oxygen hood, CPAP, etc. These applications require a combination of pressure regulation and flow control.

Dear colleagues, partners,

Thank you for your excellent cooperation in year 2021 and we wish to you and to all your loved ones a joyous holiday season and new year 2022 filled with happiness, laughter, joy and health.

GCE Healthcare

With a new anti twist, space-saving swivelling probe, this design saves space and can be operated with one hand for maximum efficiency and convenience.
Equipped with a comfortable, safe, tallied shape grip, these systems feature a highly-visible gas type identifier, enabling the operator to work at premium safety conditions. Suitable for all gas types in six variants and also featuring a non-return valve for dangerous gases - gas pressure shocks can be prevented.
Adding to its repertoire of market leading healthcare products, this design is both MDR and FDA compliant and adheres to 90% of worldwide local standards.

The range is ideal for all applications, including customers with specialised demands, such as nursing staff and machine manufacturers.
To discover more about this new range of medical gas supply probes, visit

Living with a long-term lung condition such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is not without its challenges, but with good therapy patients can still live an active lifestyle. Here you will find everything you need to know about COPD, how it affects the human body and what recommended treatments are available. If you, a friend, family member, or patient is suffering from this condition, this is the place to learn more about how you can get it under control and live a positive life.

What is COPD?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a term used to describe a group of lung conditions. Patients with COPD find it difficult to empty air out of their lungs due to narrowed airways. Two of the most common conditions are bronchitis and emphysema. It should be noted that COPD is often confused with asthma, but is a separate condition.

What are the telltale signs of COPD?

Most patients suffer from a combination of the following symptoms. They experience them all the time, or appear worse when they are ill with an infection. Being in an environment with poor air quality can also set-off these symptoms and cause a ‘flare-up’:

  • Shortness of breath during/after very light physical effort, such as walking
  • Prolonged cough over a long time (multiple weeks/months)
  • Wheezing while breathing in or out, particularly in cold weather
  • Phlegm in the throat/chest produced more than usual
  • Loss of appetite, weight (due to the above) and/or swollen ankles

COPD in numbers

How should COPD be diagnosed?

It is important that COPD is diagnosed properly by a medical professional to avoid confusion with less severe conditions, such as asthma. Healthcare providers looking for signs of COPD may conduct a progressive set of tests, including:

  • Spirometry - a measure of lung capacity (most reliable method)
  • Chest x-ray - radiation analysis of soft body issue
  • Blood test - general assessment of bodily health
  • BMI calculation - body mass measurement

Is COPD a big problem?

Yes, it is a chronic condition, but treatments are available to ensure that patients can maintain a healthy and somewhat active lifestyle. COPD affects more than 65 million people worldwide and is directly responsible for around three million deaths per year. The average five-year life expectancy ranges from 40 - 70 % - meaning that 40 - 70 out of every 100 people with COPD will survive longer than five years.

The main issues for patients with COPD are:

  • Vulnerable to colds, flu and pneumonia
  • Risk of developing heart disease
  • Higher risk of lung cancer
  • Susceptible to respiratory failure

How is COPD caused?

COPD is caused by long term lung damage as a result of breathing in harmful, airborne substances. This can include the inhalation of tobacco smoke, air pollution or other forms of toxic smoke. Prolonged exposure to chemicals, fumes and smoke in work environments can also cause COPD.

Only very rare genetic conditions can cause COPD, but if a parent has suffered from chest problems you are more at risk. However, you are most likely to develop COPD if you are a smoker, had a lung condition as a child and currently aged 35 years or older.

How can COPD be professionally treated?

Given that COPD affects so many people worldwide, science and technology has rapidly moved on to help patients manage their condition and overall lifestyle.
A whole range of healthcare professional advice and therapy can be sought, including expert physiotherapists, dieticians, occupational therapists, counsellors/talking therapists and even smoking cessation advisors.

What should patients with COPD do?

Patients suffering from COPD can make the biggest difference to their health and lifestyle by closely and consistently adhering to professional healthcare advice and therapy.
The basis of COPD treatment is to quit smoking. This is the only way to prevent further worsening of the disease and to maintain the ability to breathe.

Existing lung damage can no longer be repaired, so the goal of treatment is to relieve shortness of breath and coughing. In essence, helping maintain adequate breathing for as long as possible so that patients can perform everyday activities and lead a 'normal' lifestyle.

A doctor may prescribe medication, usually in an inhaler, to help open the patient's airways. They may recommend long-acting medicines that can be taken every day as well as short-acting medicines that are used when needed, such as before an activity.
In the event of an outbreak, other drugs are usually given in tablet form and hospital treatment may also be required. In more serious instances, oxygen therapy is required to manage COPD cases.

What is oxygen therapy?

Supplemental oxygen therapy increases the amount of oxygen the lungs receive and deliver to the bloodstream. In the last few decades, great strides have been made to manufacture devices that patients with COPD can use, at home or on the move, to deliver this extra oxygen support.

So called Portable Oxygen Concentrators (POCs) are prescribed by medical professionals to patients with severe COPD. They come in two main forms - 'Pulse only' or 'Pulse and Continuous' - which describes how they deliver oxygen to the patient. Importantly, both types are lightweight, portable and operate at low noise volumes which makes it easier and more convenient for the patient to live life to the fullest.

GCE Healthcare manufactures two of the leading POCs on the market, called Zen-O™ and Zen-O lite™. Each device can be enabled with mobile/cellular connectivity which means that home oxygen providers can keep a close eye on the patient’s oxygen therapy, via the device. 

For those looking to maintain an active lifestyle and complete peace of mind, a POC device from GCE Healthcare is an optimal solution. 

GCE has been at the heart of healthcare solutions for decades. 

GCE ambulance gas supply systems provide solutions for resuscitation, ventilation and the administration of gases. We've developed this animation for ambulance equipment specifiers and users to showcase exactly how our life saving solutions are used.

The care received in an ambulance is vital. See how GCE gas supply solutions help paramedics provide the best care possible to patients, when they need it the most.

Find out more about our products: Emergency Gas Supply Systems

As a result of Covid-19, more and more patients, who are already in a stable state, are resorting to home solutions using oxygen therapy. This can lead to accidents and is potentially dangerous!

GCE medical combination valves connected to a medical oxygen cylinder are suitable for prescribed oxygen therapy, but should only be used following prescription from a doctor and after training from medical personnel to ensure safe use.

Do not use GCE medical gas equipment unless properly prescribed by a doctor and you are properly trained and familiar with the product and the Instructions For Use.

IFUs for medical combination valves are available here.

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL BUILD AND INFRASTRUCTURE EXPOSITION

The 22nd China Hospital Construction Conference International Hospital Build and Infrastructure Exposition will be held in Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center from Oct. 14-16,2021.

GCE will participate this event again to contribute our wisdom and strength to promote the construction of a better hospital and the upgrading of medical equipment and medical technology industries…

Looking forward to your visit!

For more information please visit chccchina.com 

In this period of the health crisis, GCE provides you with a technical bulletin to allow you to best disinfect our medical equipment to effectively fight against #COVID19.

Download the technical bulletin in English.

We remain at your disposal for any questions or requests for information at the usual numbers and times. You can see our GCE contact page here.

From a report of the 13th of March 2020 WHO (World Health Organisation) states that most people with COVID-19 develop a only mild or uncomplicated illness, approximately 14% will develop a severe disease that requires hospitalization and oxygen support, and 5% will require admission to an intensive care unit. This means for GCE Healthcare that the demand of our medical gas handling products is increasing significantly. 

To meet the increasing demand of our various medical gas controlling products, GCE Healthcare will temporarily increase the production capacity of Medical Regulators, Flowmeters, Portable Oxygen Concentrators and other medical gas handling equipment by in our production facilities in Czech Republic, United Kingdom, China and North America. 

“To meet this increased demand, GCE Healthcare will add extra shifts wherever possible in our production facilities and allocate more resources to support our healthcare systems around the world at this challenging time,” says Mike Galvin, Managing Director, GCE Healthcare. 

Around the world, countries are taking different approaches to minimize the spread of the virus and this has an effect on both supply- and distribution chain. GCE are taking all necessary actions to work closely with our suppliers and partners to safely tackle these challenges together.

To our valued customers we would like to say: Please have patience with us and our processes in this exceptional situation. We focus on getting our products out to the market to the same quality standard as normal, and current challenging circumstances can impact our response time and the lead times of our products.

Mike Galvin: “GCE Healthcare supports the people in need of medical gases during this corona pandemic and I am very proud of our teams around the world doing their utmost to make medical gas equipment available for our customers to help save lives”.

If you would like to discuss any specifics in more detail, please do not hesitate to contact our customer service desks or one of our sales representatives.

Following a complete overhaul of its online presence, medical professionals, gas companies and distributors can now enjoy improved access to the latest product information, images, videos and downloads from GCE Healthcare. 

Featuring a cleaner, easier to navigate design, users can now browse the full product suite and supporting information from across the homecare, medical and healthcare portfolio. For specifiers and end users of high quality, high pressure, medical gas solutions, this is a one-stop-shop. 

The website is currently English only, but customers can switch to their local language region via gcegroup.com

This upgrade is part of our ongoing commitment to ensure we provide the highest quality service and gas solutions for industry professionals, globally. 

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