Bay Area hospitals brace for delays after massive Tracy medical supply warehouse fire

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Hospitals across the Bay Area are closely monitoring supplies after a fire tore through a major medical distribution facility in Tracy last Thursday, raising concerns about causing disruptions and delays.

The fire broke out last Thursday afternoon at Medline's approximately 1-million-square-foot facility. All employees were safely evacuated, and no injuries were reported. The cause remains under investigation and investigators say fire sprinklers did not work.

Medline said it activated a 24-hour command center immediately after the fire and began rerouting shipments to maintain deliveries.

"Medical products previously distributed through the Tracy facility have already been reassigned, and the vast majority of order lines have been rerouted to other Medline distribution centers within our regional network to support our customers' needs," the company said.

The company also said it increased staffing, inventory and transportation capacity, including additional trucking and third-party carriers.

"Medline has activated network contingency plans and is leveraging its broader distribution network in Northern California and beyond to continue fulfilling customers' orders. Our command center has been operating around the clock to coordinate the use of secondary distribution centers to maintain service."

Live updates: Crews remove Tracy Medline facility's walls to tackle interior hotspots, officials say

So far, many major Bay Area health systems say patient care has not been affected.

Contra Costa Health said in a statement, "We are not canceling any surgeries. We have adequate supplies and our sourcing supplies through various vendors to keep operations at current levels."

Stanford Medicine said it is monitoring the situation but has not seen impacts.

"At this time, there are no impacts to patient care, and all Stanford Medicine facilities continue normal operations."

Alameda Health System reported supply orders delayed by about 24 hours.

That's why hospitals across the region are keeping a close watch on inventory levels. At one point this week, there were rumblings that some elective procedures at UCSF Health facilities could face delays, though UCSF has not responded to requests for comment.

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The ripple effects are also being felt by local medical suppliers.

At Sunrise Medical Supplies in Oakland, store manager Tiffany Kwong said orders that typically arrived within a day are now delayed by weeks.

"After I found out about the fire, me and my boss were like, we need to order stuff. So I placed the order the next day. But I didn't get (an) update until maybe a day or two later."

Some items, such as wheelchairs, are expected to arrive within a week, while others are significantly delayed.

"And then I ordered some wheelchairs, some transport wheelchairs, and they're all arriving next week."

Kwong said other supplies could take more than a month.

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"And then I found out my walkers, they're not arriving until July 24, which is over a month."

She said the delays are unusual for Medline deliveries.

"This normally doesn't happen. Normally, if I place the order before one, I would get it within the next day."

With inventory moving quickly, Kwong said replacing supplies has become increasingly difficult.

"I'm just surviving right now. Trying my best," Kwong said.

Kwong said she may need to turn to other suppliers if delays continue, though that presents its own challenges.

"Yes. I would definitely consider other options if I am in a rush for other equipment that I need immediately, (but) even if you want to order from a new company, you don't just order it immediately. You have to talk about prices and everything. You know what I mean? So, that also takes time."

Despite the disruption, she said she still trusts Medline but is preparing for shortages. For now, Kwong and others are watching deliveries closely and hoping supply levels stabilize as Medline works to restore operations.