GE Healthcare and Philips Healthcare said they are stepping up their manufacturing and safety protocols in response to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak.
In a statement, GE Healthcare President and CEO Kieran Murphy announced that the company is increasing its manufacturing capacity for equipment important for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with COVID-19. This includes CT scanners, ultrasound systems, mobile x-ray machines, patient monitors, and ventilators, according to the vendor.
To match the increased demand, GE said it's working to hire additional employees and shift existing employees. It will also work with suppliers to mitigate shortages and partner with global regulators.
In addition, GE said it will also monitor the health of its field service engineers and provide them with personal protective equipment for use when servicing devices. Remote diagnostic and repair capabilities will also be increased, according to the company.
Similarly, Philips CEO Frans van Houten announced that the company is working to maintain the safety of its employees. This includes creating safety protocols for field engineers, implementing widespread work-from-home protocols, and avoiding travel to and from high-risk areas.
The company is also looking to boost production out of China. Van Houten noted that Philips' Chinese manufacturing capacity is currently at 80%, and it is working to improve capacity to meet the increased demand for diagnostic imaging systems, patient monitors, and ventilators.
![Axial images from unenhanced calcium score cardiac CT (left) and curved planar reformation images from CT angiography (right) show that higher long-term exposure to air pollution is associated with greater coronary artery calcium and more obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD). Top row: Images in a 68-year-old male patient with higher 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (7.9 μg/m3 for particulate matter measuring ≤2.5 μm in diameter [PM2.5] and 17.4 parts per billion [ppb] for NO2) with extensive CAD (coronary artery calcium score [CACS] >1,000 and obstructive CAD [≥70% diameter stenosis]). Bottom row: Images in a 57-year-old female patient with lower 10-year mean ambient air pollution exposure (6.3 μg/m3 for PM2.5 and 4.6 ppb for NO2) with no CAD (CACS = 0 and no obstructive stenosis).](https://img.auntminnie.com/mindful/smg/workspaces/default/uploads/2026/06/hanneman.r6SMLzkezo.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&dpr=2&fit=crop&h=167&q=70&w=250)
