For Immediate Release

Medline Ready For Possible Pandemic

While Others Allocate Supplies Medline Has Significantly Increased Its Inventory


Friday, January 12, 2007 —

Mundelein, Ill. -- While threats of a potential outbreak of avian flu has major manufacturers allocating and on backorder for essential medical supplies, Medline Industries Inc., has significantly increased its raw and finished materials inventory -- readying it to immediately help healthcare professionals in a time of crisis.

"The bottom line is that manufacturers have a responsibility to help healthcare professionals be ready.  Allocating medical supplies in today's world is just not good for our customers and their patients," said Medline President Andy Mills.  "Healthcare facilities can depend on Medline for isolation gowns, N95 masks, gloves and all other necessary protective apparel because since the outbreak of SARS in 2003, we've taken considerable steps to prepare for a possible pandemic. We've not only significantly increased our inventory, we have developed programs to help hospitals overcome the financial and logistical challenges they face in stockpiling for a potential disaster."

Mills notes that Medline is in a unique position to help because the company stocks more than $100 million of personal protective products -- more than any of its North American competitors. Medline also has eight production facilities strategically located on three continents.  In addition, as part of its Pandemic Preparedness Program Medline has:

  • increased its finished goods inventory by 50 percent;
  • doubled its raw materials inventory;
  • increased its offering of N95 particulate respirator masks;
  • and introduced a new line of isolation gowns that are the only gowns on the market offering protection that exceed the new Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) guidelines.

 

Medline also offers two approaches to help meet the individual needs of its customers and ease the financial and logistical burden of stockpiling supplies.  Consignment allows the customer to order product with no up-front cost.  Medline ships the product to the facility and structures a program to bill the facility as the product is used. There is a minimum order of 500 cases of any mixture of products. Its Guaranteed, On-Demand Inventory allows the customer to order as much product as it needs. Medline stores the product in one of the company's secured warehouses and ships it as needed. There is a minimum order of 500 cases of any mixture of products.

The company has a full supply of National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) -approved N95 particulate respirator masks in stock.  These masks have been specifically recommended for use by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers exposed to patients with known or suspected avian influenza. A properly fit-tested, NIOSH-approved, N95 particulate respirator filters at least 95 percent of solid and liquid airborne particles not resistant to oil.  In addition to increasing stock levels on existing N95 masks, the company has introduced an additional three additional N95 NIOSH approved particulate respirators to give its customers the ability to choose from a wide selection of masks. 

Four options for isolation gowns:
The Prevention Gown --  This gown provides the highest level of protection under new AAMI guidelines. Its microporous film technology allows moisture vapor to escape, while preventing fluid transmission  (possible because moisture vapor is a thousand times smaller than the smallest virus). This gown meets the ASTM tests for viral and blood penetration, and has sonically sealed seams to prevent strike through where sleeves are joined to the gown body.

The Suprel®Gown -- This low-linting gown offers comfort and protection for outside the OR. It provides Level 3 protection under the AAMI PB70 standards. It is made with Suprel®  IsolationWear™ fabric, a bi-component fabric made of polyester (for strength) and polyethylene (for comfort) that is based on new DuPont Nonwovens Advanced Composite Technology.  This gown's smooth texture allows great freedom of movement, while it also helps keep healthcare workers cool by transferring heat away from the body.

IsolationWear™Gown -- This low-linting gown, also made with DuPont IsolationWear™ fabric, offers the greatest comfort and provides AAMI PB70 Level 2 protection plus an alcohol resistance treatment for protection against everyday alcohol-based products.

SMMS Gown -- This low-linting gown comes in two weights, offering either Level 1 or Level 2 protection under the new AAMI PB70 standard. It is made with Medline's SMMS technology, which uses four layers of fabric to provide a high level of fluid repellency.

 

The most comfortable and breathable gowns available at a high level of protection, all Medline Isolation Gowns are generously sized, with long waist ties and neck closure options, such as tie, tape tab and Velcro-like. In addition, the gowns feature either an elastic, knit cuff or thumb loop wrist. And all AAMI PB70-compliant gowns feature neck bindings that are color-coded according to the level of protection the gown provides.

About Medline

Medline, the nation's largest privately held manufacturer and distributor of healthcare products, manufactures and distributes more than 100,000 products to hospitals, extended care facilities, surgery centers, home care dealers and agencies and other markets.  Headquartered in Mundelein, IL, Medline has more than 800 dedicated sales representatives nationwide to support its broad product line and cost management services.
 
Over the past five years, Medline has been the fastest growing distributor of medical and surgical supplies in the U.S., serving as the primary distributor to over 250 major hospitals and health care systems. As a leading distributor, Medline offers a comprehensive array of consulting and management services encompassing the supply chain and logistics, utilization and standardization, business tools and enhanced reporting capabilities, and on-staff clinicians.

Medline has a growing network of 34 distribution centers around the country, as well as an expanding, dedicated transportation fleet with over 160 vehicles in a variety of sizes to fit customers' specific delivery needs. The fleet is equipped with the latest navigation devices for enhanced order tracking and communication.