ROBIC APPLAUDS THE GENEROSITY AND INGENUITY OF ITS CLIENTS. HERE IS THE STORY OF HYGIE!
HYGIE’s unparalleled innovation, which has been deployed in hospitals here and around the world since 2006, is all the more useful in times of health crisis such as the one we are currently experiencing.
The inventor and entrepreneur behind HYGIE is Mr. Éric Tanguay. Although somewhat discreet despite the success of his idea which has considerably reduced the contamination and spread of viruses and nosocomial diseases in healthcare institutions, he is nonetheless pleased to be a leading player in the prevention of infections in healthcare institutions around the world.
But exactly what kind of genius idea are we talking about?
When C-Difficile was on the rise in Québec, Mr. Tanguay became interested in the management of human waste in hospitals. He was wondering about the methods used and the best way to reduce the risk of contamination. By studying the issue, conducting his own investigation and discussing with many specialists, Mr. Tanguay developed a line of products designed to simply and effectively manage body fluids, which are, more often than not, contaminants.
To this date, HYGIE’s product offering includes 65 unique products, some of which are patented. Over the past few years, these products have been implemented in all of Québec hospitals. Mr. Tanguay explains that the greatest challenge was to introduce new work methods with hospital staff and to provide them with adequate training. The various needs of patients are now met thanks to the products developed by HYGIE. Whether it’s a urinal or vomiting system, bedpans, commode chairs, absorbent products or even gloves, HYGIE manufactures it. Some of these products are also available on Hygienic.com, a website dedicated to hygiene products for home care for the elderly, and whose sales have exploded since the pandemic, following confinement who made it
very difficult to get a hold of these products in pharmacies.
In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for various products exploded and the Drummondville plant had to adjust quickly. Mr. Tanguay proudly states that all bags, containers and other objects are made in Québec from reusable materials and not in China. “I visit the plant once a week and given the context of the pandemic, we demanded extra time from our team who continued to do an exceptional job. To thank them for their time and effort, I give them gift cards for gas and food. It’s a way to help them through this more difficult time and if it makes them happy, I’ve achieved my goal!” he says with a smile in his voice.
The COVID-19 experience
Optimistic by nature, Mr. Tanguay is confident that local products will be popular for a long time to come. He is proud to manufacture all of his products in Québec and to encourage many local suppliers. “Even if our products cost a little more in Québec, they have nothing to envy to products from China, for example. With transportation costs rising considerably and the lower quality offered by foreign manufacturers, we’re going to emerge a winner in this crisis.”
As for HYGIE’s success in several countries, it has tenfolded with the current pandemic. Mr. Tanguay smiles and explains that his idea is not the most glamorous and that people generally don’t like to talk about excreta. However, he is glad to have dared to put it into action since it protects medical personnel and saves lives. Today, Mr. Tanguay’s unique concept is recommended by medical microbiologists-infectiologists, infection prevention and control nurses, hygienists, various government authorities as well as several scientific publications.
Mr. Tanguay humbly recounts the story of his company, named
after the Greek Goddess of Health and Hygiene. The innovation
he developed is of undisputed help in the health care sector and, although it was a perilous road in order to develop hospitals one by one in Québec and abroad, he is satisfied with the result. “There are many challenges in implementing new procedures because people are often resistant to change. If we’ve been able to demonstrate the effectiveness of our concept, it’s because it works very well,” he says.
As to the future, Mr. Tanguay is considering developing other ideas, but, for now, his focus is on ensuring the safety of patients
and medical staff.
ROBIC SALUTES THE BOLDNESS AND THE COURAGE OF AN ENTREPRENEUR WHO IS DEDICATED TO THE INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE WELL-BEING, WHO ENCOURAGES THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND ALLOWS QUÉBEC TO SHINE ABROAD. THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE HYGIE TEAM FOR PROTECTING US!
