Covidien (http://www.covidien.com/), maker of mechanical ventilation and respiratory care devices, has received the American Association for Respiratory Care (AARC) Zenith Award for 2011.

"Covidien is honored to receive acknowledgement that our offerings bring true value to respiratory care professionals and help provide insight into respiratory care cases," says Robert J. White, president, Respiratory and Monitoring Solutions, Covidien. "This award reflects our commitment to delivering unparalleled product innovations and high-quality service to benefit respiratory patients."

The Zenith Award, established in 1989, recognizes manufacturers and service organizations in the respiratory care industry for outstanding service. The award is presented to five companies annually on behalf of AARC's 52,000 members. This year, more than 400 companies were evaluated using the following criteria: quality of equipment and/or supplies; accessibility and helpfulness of sales personnel; responsiveness; service record; truth in advertising; and support of the respiratory care profession. This marks the 22nd consecutive year that Covidien has received this award.

AARC is the leading national and international professional association for respiratory care. The association encourages and promotes professional excellence, advances the science and practice of respiratory care, and serves as an advocate for patients and their families, the public, the profession and the respiratory care therapist.

"Each year, the members of our association present the Zenith Award to companies on the basis of truth in advertising, service, and support of respiratory care," explains S. P. Giordano, Executive Director and CEO, AARC. "In 2011, as in previous years, Covidien has provided its customers with products and services that enable respiratory care therapists to achieve clinical excellence."

Covidien has a strong heritage of accomplishment in respiratory care. Its integrated line of products from market-leading brands such as Nellcor, Puritan Bennett, and Mallinckrodt offers hospitals and healthcare professionals a suite of devices that helps clinicians detect subtle, but critical, variations in a patient’s respiratory status and helps reduce the risk of complications.

"Covidien is proud of our unwavering commitment to helping our respiratory care customers manage challenges in a changing healthcare environment by maintaining our focus on delivering innovative and cost-effective clinical solutions," White says.

Covidien accepted the award at a ceremony during the AARC 57th International Respiratory Congress, November 5–8, in Tampa, FL.