Putting patients first: UC Davis Health concludes Medline fire response
(SACRAMENTO)
Monday, July 20, 2026
When a massive fire destroyed Medline's Tracy distribution center on June 11, healthcare organizations across California faced an immediate and unprecedented supply chain challenge.
For UC Davis Health, the response quickly became an organization-wide effort focused on one priority: ensuring uninterrupted patient care.
In the days and weeks that followed, teams from across the organization came together to monitor inventory, identify alternatives, establish new sourcing pathways, expand distribution capabilities and coordinate response efforts through the Hospital Incident Command System. Clinical teams, operational leaders, supply chain professionals, logistics staff, planners, communicators, finance partners and executive leaders worked side by side to manage a rapidly evolving situation.
Their efforts worked.
Patient care services remained operational throughout the response, with no critical care impacts reported. As supply conditions improved, escalation activity declined, service areas returned to normal workflows and incident objectives were successfully achieved. Today, all major operational areas are reporting green status.
As a result, executive leadership has approved demobilization of the Hospital Incident Command System activation on July 24, transitioning the organization from active incident management to routine operational oversight. Supply Chain will continue monitoring supply availability and fulfillment performance through standard governance processes.
The response highlighted the strength of collaboration across UC Davis Health. Employees adapted quickly, created new workflows, shared information across departments and solved challenges in real time. What could have become a major operational disruption instead became an example of how coordinated planning, communication and teamwork can help an organization remain resilient during uncertainty.
That work has attracted attention beyond UC Davis Health. Medline leadership has expressed interest in developing a case study examining the organization's response and the collaboration that helped maintain continuity of care during a prolonged regional supply chain disruption.
This response showed what is possible when people come together around a common purpose. Every team played a role, every contribution mattered and patients remained at the center of every decision.
As incident command operations conclude, leaders are extending their sincere appreciation to the many employees who supported the response. Their professionalism, creativity, adaptability and commitment helped ensure UC Davis Health successfully navigated one of the largest regional healthcare supply chain disruptions in recent memory. The Medline response may be coming to a close, but the lessons learned — and the teamwork demonstrated across the organization — will continue to strengthen UC Davis Health's readiness for future challenges.
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
As UC Davis Health enters its fourth week of recovery following the Medline warehouse fire, supply conditions continue to improve, and the health system remains fully operational with no procedure cancellations and minimal impact on patient care.
Recent operational updates show steady progress across the organization. Supply fulfillment rates have continued to improve, escalation volumes have declined and most clinical areas have moved from yellow to green status.
Hospital Supply Chain team members and Pharmacy volunteers process incoming supplies at the Central Warehouse during recovery operations.
Behind that progress is the work of employees across the organization who have stepped up to keep supplies moving and patient care uninterrupted.
One example is the partnership between the Hospital Supply Chain and Pharmacy teams at the Central Warehouse. While the temporary distribution hub established earlier in the response has closed, warehouse operations remain busy as deliveries from Medline, FedEx, and other suppliers continue to arrive each day.
The Pharmacy Shared Services Center helped support the Medline warehouse fire response by securing safety stock for critical pharmacy supplies.
To help manage increased activity, Pharmacy volunteers supported Central Warehouse operations from June 18 through July 10. Working alongside Hospital Supply Chain team members, volunteers assisted with receiving, sorting and processing supplies to help ensure products reached caregivers and patient care areas as quickly as possible.
The Pharmacy Shared Services Center also played a key role during the response by securing safety stock for critical pharmacy supplies, adding another layer of resilience as teams responded to ongoing supply challenges.
Supplies are received and moved through the Central Warehouse as teams support recovery efforts.
The latest operational reports show encouraging signs across the organization. Units are reporting improved inventory levels, supply requests have become less urgent and no critical inventory escalations have been reported in recent operational periods.
Although teams continue to monitor supplies closely and maintain conservation efforts where appropriate, the response has shifted from addressing widespread shortages to managing a smaller number of targeted needs. Daily operational briefings remain in place to support coordination and maintain visibility into supply conditions across the organization.
Hospital Supply Chain team members and Pharmacy volunteers supported receiving and distribution operations throughout the response.
Leaders say the progress reflects the dedication, flexibility and teamwork demonstrated by employees throughout the response.
From receiving shipments and managing inventory to identifying alternatives and supporting distribution efforts, employees across UC Davis Health have helped ensure patient care remained uninterrupted while the organization adapted to an unprecedented supply chain disruption.
As recovery efforts continue, teamwork remains one of the health system's greatest strengths. View more photos of teamwork in action below.
Team members pause for a photo while supporting warehouse receiving and inventory operations.Warehouse teams sort and process supplies to support patient care across UC Davis Health.Supplies are unloaded and prepared for distribution at the Central Warehouse.Employees move incoming shipments through the warehouse as supply recovery efforts progress.Warehouse employees support receiving operations as supply deliveries continue to increase.A warehouse employee prepares supplies for distribution to departments across the health system.Hospital Supply Chain employees supported recovery efforts while maintaining routine warehouse operations.
Thursday, July 2, 2026
As UC Davis Health heads into the holiday weekend, supply operations continue to stabilize.
The temporary distribution hub in the North Addition Office Building (NAOB) has closed, and receiving operations have returned to the warehouse. Employee access to the NAOB has also returned to normal, with the main entrance fully reopened.
The Incident Command Center has transitioned to a virtual operating model, reflecting the progress made over the past three weeks. While supply variability remains in some areas, teams across the organization continue to monitor inventory, identify alternatives and support uninterrupted patient care.
UC Davis Health remains fully operational with no procedure cancellations and minimal impact on patient care.
The recent progress reflects the extraordinary efforts of employees, volunteers, supply chain teams, clinical staff and leaders across the organization. Thanks to their flexibility, collaboration and problem-solving, the health system has successfully transitioned from an emergency response posture to more routine operations while maintaining safe, high-quality care for patients.
For the latest information and resources, visit the Medical Supply Resource Hub(VPN required when off campus).
Tuesday, June 30, 2026
More than two weeks into the response to the Medline warehouse disruption, operations across UC Davis Health are becoming more predictable — thanks to coordinated planning, expanding supply strategies and the continued effort of teams across the organization.
Teams prepare and process supplies at an outdoor staging area to support distribution operations.
While supply variability remains, daily operations are stabilizing. Clinical areas are reporting consistent access to essential supplies, and care continues without disruption or procedure cancellations.
At the center of this progress is a sustained, systemwide effort to move supplies where they are needed most.
Supply operations are finding a steady rhythm
In recent days, teams have shifted from rapid response to more structured workflows.
At the North Addition Office Building (NAOB), the distribution hub continues to process incoming shipments and move supplies to care areas across the health system. Improvements in inventory visibility and coordination are helping teams better anticipate needs and respond more quickly.
Supplies are organized on shelving units inside the distribution hub, helping teams quickly locate and deliver items across UC Davis Health.
This evolving approach is helping reduce escalations and stabilize supply flow while teams continue to monitor a smaller number of key items.
Coordinated teams driving progress
Stabilization has been driven by close coordination across multiple teams.
Clinical teams continue implementing approved mitigation strategies to maintain care continuity
Supply chain teams are expanding sourcing options and managing incoming deliveries
Data and analytics teams are improving inventory tracking and visibility
The command center continues to align priorities and support real-time decision-making
Together, these efforts are helping UC Davis Health move from broad disruption to more targeted supply management.
Work continues across staging and distribution areas
Across campus, teams are managing a steady flow of deliveries and redistributing supplies throughout care settings.
Shipments continue to be processed efficiently, with supplies moving from receiving areas to patient care units through a coordinated distribution process.
Employees unpack and organize supplies from incoming shipments at the distribution site.
These efforts are helping ensure supplies move quickly and reliably to the areas that need them most.
Volunteers helped power the response
Volunteer support has played an important role in recent weeks, especially during peak distribution activity.
Volunteer participation helped expand capacity during the most active period of the response, supporting tasks such as sorting, staging and delivery.
As operations stabilize, distribution processes are becoming more streamlined, with teams continuing to manage workload across departments.
Access returning to normal at NAOB
As distribution operations continue to mature, access to the North Addition Office Building is returning to standard operations.
Employee entry through the main entrance will resume at the end of today. Temporary access routes put in place during peak distribution activity are no longer required.
Focus remains on key supply areas
Most supply categories have stabilized. Teams are now focused on monitoring and managing a smaller group of items, including select procedural supplies and specialty products.
Work continues to:
Identify and validate substitute products
Strengthen inventory tracking tools
Improve forecasting for high-demand periods
This targeted approach is helping reduce risk while supporting ongoing patient care needs.
Supporting care every day
Across UC Davis Health, teams continue to adapt, collaborate and move quickly to support one another.
Supplies are staged and organized in an outdoor area as teams coordinate deliveries across campus.
Whether sorting supplies, coordinating deliveries, or supporting approved operational adjustments, employees help ensure caregivers have what they need to deliver care every day.
That work continues to make a meaningful difference for patients and teams across the organization.
Two weeks into the response to the Medline warehouse disruption, teams across UC Davis Health continue to show what is possible when employees come together to support patients and one another.
From early morning deliveries to late-day sorting shifts, employees and volunteers are helping ensure caregivers have the supplies they need to deliver safe, uninterrupted care.
Shipments are staged outside the North Addition Office Building as teams receive and organize large volumes of supplies for distribution across UC Davis Health.
The impact is clear. UC Davis Health remains fully operational, with no procedure cancellations and minimal impact on patient care.
Progress continues as operations stabilize
Supply availability continues to improve across the health system, with most clinical areas now operating in stable or improving conditions.
Teams have moved from widespread shortages to managing a smaller number of specific supply categories. This progress reflects the steady, coordinated effort across departments over the past two weeks.
Supplies are moved through the distribution hub as teams unload, sort and prepare items for delivery to patient care areas.
At the North Addition Office Building (NAOB), the centralized distribution hub remains the center of activity. Shipments continue to arrive daily, and teams are receiving, sorting and delivering supplies to patient care areas across the organization.
A systemwide effort to support patient care
A coordinated effort across clinical teams, logistics, operations and the command center drives this progress.
Clinical teams continue to adapt workflows and identify alternatives
Supply chain and logistics teams are receiving and staging large volumes of supplies
The command center is coordinating priorities and tracking supply status in real time
Data and analytics teams are building tools to anticipate needs better and monitor inventory
Together, this approach is helping stabilize operations while longer-term supply solutions continue to develop.
Volunteers make a meaningful difference
Volunteer support remains critical to keeping supplies moving.
Volunteers transport supplies through campus walkways, helping deliver materials quickly to patient care areas.
Employees from across UC Davis Health continue to sign up for shifts, helping unload trucks, sort supplies and deliver materials to care teams. Each shift helps reduce delays and ensures supplies reach patient care areas as quickly as possible.
Photos from this week show the scale of the effort — from pallets arriving on campus to teams working side by side to organize and distribute supplies.
Focused on what matters most
While supply availability continues to improve, teams remain focused on a small number of items that require ongoing monitoring.
Teams continue sorting and organizing a high volume of supplies at the North Addition distribution hub.
Work is underway to identify alternatives, refine tracking tools and strengthen processes to better anticipate future needs. At the same time, teams are preparing to sustain operations through the weekend and build on the progress made so far.
Thank you for stepping up
The past two weeks have required flexibility, creativity and a strong commitment to teamwork.
Across UC Davis Health, employees have stepped outside of their usual roles, volunteered their time and supported one another to ensure patients continue to receive the highest level of care.
Teams move supplies through an outdoor staging area to support the steady flow of materials to care teams across campus.
That commitment is making a meaningful difference every day.
Get involved
Volunteer shifts at the NAOB distribution hub remain available and play an important role in supporting patient care.
Shifts are available in two-hour increments
Volunteers assist with sorting, staging and delivery (wear comfortable shoes and know where units are located if assigned to delivery)
Work may include standing, lifting and moving supplies (must be able to lift a minimum of 25 lbs.)
Email the Labor Pool if you need to cancel a shift you signed up to volunteer.
Teams set up and track equipment and supplies in an outdoor staging area during the distribution effort.
View the Medical Supply Resource Hub (A VPN is required when off campus) for the most up-to-date information on the ongoing situation.
Wednesday update: June 24, 2026
Across UC Davis Health, teams and volunteers are stepping up to keep critical supplies moving and support uninterrupted patient care following the Medline warehouse fire.
Volunteers and team members unload and sort supplies outside the NAOB, where the distribution hub is processing high volumes of deliveries to support patient care across UC Davis Health.
While supply conditions continue to improve, the health system remains in a recovery phase. Many items have moved out of critical status, and there have been no procedure cancellations. At the same time, teams continue to manage ongoing supply variability and increased demand in select areas.
To support this work, UC Davis Health has shifted to an internal distribution model, in which supplies are sorted and redistributed through a centralized hub in the North Addition Office Building.
Supplies are sorted and staged inside the North Addition distribution hub as teams process incoming shipments and prepare items for delivery across the health system.
That hub has quickly become the center of activity, with employees from across the organization stepping in to help unpack shipments, sort supplies and move items to patient care areas.
Volunteer support has played a key role in the effort
Employees have signed up for shifts throughout the week, helping teams manage a steady flow of deliveries and ensure supplies reach care teams as quickly as possible. The work is hands-on and fast-paced, requiring coordination, flexibility and teamwork.
Teams continue to unpack and organize shipments in the staging area, supporting the steady flow of supplies to caregivers across UC Davis Health.
Photos from recent days show the scale of the effort — from pallets of supplies arriving on campus to teams working together to organize and distribute materials, and groups of employees volunteering their time to support the response.
At the same time, teams across the health system continue to adapt workflows, identify alternatives and prioritize supplies based on patient care needs. Leaders say this coordinated approach is helping stabilize operations while longer-term supply solutions continue to evolve.
Employees and volunteers sort and organize boxes of supplies in an outdoor staging area at the NAOB, helping move materials quickly to patient care areas.
As operations scale, volunteer support remains critical to keeping supplies moving.
Non-represented employees interested in helping can sign up to support sorting, staging and delivery efforts at the North Addition distribution hub. Every shift helps ensure supplies reach caregivers and patients as quickly as possible.
This work may involve standing, bending, stooping and lifting or moving boxes and packages. Volunteer shifts are available in two-hour increments; longer shifts are welcome and appreciated. For those who will be delivering supplies, it would be helpful if you were familiar with where the units are located.
Non-represented employees interested in volunteering can sign up here.
If you signed up to volunteer and need to cancel, please email the labor pool.
Teams gather in the Command Center to coordinate supply distribution efforts, track deliveries and align priorities across UC Davis Health as part of the ongoing response.
UC Davis Health is grateful to the many teams and volunteers who have stepped in to meet this moment. Their commitment, teamwork and willingness to help are making a meaningful difference for patients and colleagues across the organization.
Across UC Davis Health, teams are working around the clock to keep supplies flowing and to support uninterrupted patient care following the Medline warehouse fire.
Supply and logistics team members pause during a busy shift of unloading and processing supplies to support patient care across UC Davis Health.
While supply conditions remain variable, coordinated efforts across logistics, clinical teams and leadership have helped maintain operations. From the Command Center to loading docks and warehouse floors, employees are stepping in, adapting quickly and finding solutions in real time.
Over the weekend, teams transitioned to an in-person Command Center to strengthen coordination and speed decision-making. Staff across multiple departments worked side by side, tracking incoming shipments, troubleshooting challenges and prioritizing critical supply needs.
Teams work together in the Command Center to track supplies, coordinate responses and prioritize needs across the health system.
At the same time, supply and logistics teams managed a surge of deliveries, unloading, sorting and staging thousands of items for distribution across the health system. Many shipments are arriving in nonstandard packaging and require additional processing before they can be delivered to care teams.
To support this work, UC Davis Health activated a volunteer labor pool and expanded internal coordination to manage the increased volume of incoming supplies. Employees from across the organization are stepping in to help unpack, sort and move items, ensuring supplies reach care teams as quickly as possible.
Team members sort and prepare medical supplies for distribution as part of a coordinated effort to move critical items to care teams across UC Davis Health.
At this time, assistance is being requested from non-represented employees. Managers and supervisors are asked to be as flexible as operationally feasible in allowing employees to participate.
Volunteers will assist with:
Unpacking and sorting supplies
Verifying product information
Documenting inventory distribution
Answering basic questions
Supporting the movement of supplies to departments across the health system
This work may involve standing, bending, stooping and lifting or moving boxes and packages. Volunteer shifts are available in two-hour increments; longer shifts are welcome and appreciated.
Non-represented employees interested in volunteeringcan sign up here.
Supplies are delivered to the North Addition Office Building, where teams receive and move shipments into the staging and distribution area. These coordinated efforts are helping maintain the flow of supplies across UC Davis Health.
UC Davis Health has also launched a new internal approach to strengthen how supplies are received and distributed. Teams began activating centralized staging and distribution operations over the weekend, with continued expansion planned this week. This effort is designed to improve coordination and help stabilize supply flow while broader distribution capabilities are reestablished.
“I want to thank teams across UC Davis Health for the extraordinary work you are doing to meet this moment,” said Mike Condrin, MBA, interim chief executive officer. “Every day, across roles and departments, you are stepping in, solving problems and supporting one another to keep care moving forward. Your dedication — including those working through the weekend and on Father’s Day — does not go unnoticed. Because of you, our patients continue to receive the high-quality care they deserve. Thank you for everything you do.”
Teams sort and stage newly delivered medical supplies inside the North Addition Office Building, Room 1001. Employees and volunteers are working together to process high volumes of supplies and move them quickly to care teams across UC Davis Health.
Photos from the weekend highlight the scale of this work — from coordination in the Command Center to hands-on efforts to unload, sort and prepare supplies for use.
A team member reviews supply flow plans in the Command Center, where teams are coordinating efforts to manage supply disruptions and support patient care across UC Davis Health.
These efforts continued through the weekend, including Father’s Day, as teams demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their colleagues, patients, and community.
UC Davis Health is grateful to everyone contributing to this work. Their commitment, teamwork and flexibility are making a meaningful difference as the organization continues to navigate supply challenges and maintain high-quality care.
Teams and volunteers gather outside the North Addition Office Building after unloading and processing deliveries, part of the ongoing effort to receive and distribute critical medical supplies across UC Davis Health.
Employees can find the latest guidance, resources and updates on the Medical Supply Resource Hub. (A VPN is required when off campus)
Boxes of medical supplies are sorted and staged for distribution as logistics teams process high volumes of incoming deliveries.
Friday update: June 19, 2026
UC Davis Health response: Patient care remains uninterrupted
UC Davis Health continues to navigate supply chain challenges stemming from the Medline warehouse fire while maintaining uninterrupted patient care. We appreciate the creativity, adaptability and coordinated efforts across the health system as teams work to secure needed supplies, implement alternatives and sustain ongoing operations.
Rows of boxed medical supplies line the warehouse floor as teams prepare items for distribution. The dedication of supply and logistics teams continues to support patient care across UC Davis Health.
While supply availability remains constrained in some areas, conditions have stabilized and no patient care impacts or procedure cancellations have been reported to date. Employees can find the latest guidance, resources and updates on the Medical Supply Resource Hub. (A VPN is required when off campus)
A UC Davis Health team member helps unload a truck filled with medical supplies, part of a systemwide effort to keep patient care running smoothly. Thank you to the supply and logistics teams for their fast, coordinated work in receiving and processing deliveries.
Medline recovery efforts continue
Medline continues to implement immediate, intermediate and long-term recovery plans following the Tracy warehouse fire. According to Medline, the primary challenge is restoring distribution operations rather than addressing widespread product shortages.
To support continuity of service, Medline has redirected UC Davis Health orders to alternative distribution centers, including Lathrop, CA; increased overnight shipping capacity; deployed on-site staff to assist with supply preparation; and secured a new warehouse facility expected to become operational in the coming months.
Pallets of incoming medical supplies are staged inside a UC Davis Health distribution facility. Thanks to supply teams working around the clock to sort, organize and move critical items into use across the health system.
Thank you
Thank you for your continued flexibility, teamwork and commitment to providing exceptional care for our patients and communities. Your collaboration and dedication have been instrumental in helping UC Davis Health navigate this challenge while maintaining the high standard of care our patients expect and deserve.
Monday update: June 15, 2026
A centralized resource page (a VPN is needed if off campus) is now available with the latest updates on the medical supply situation following the recent Medline warehouse fire.
While operations remain stable and patient care is not impacted, supply conditions continue to evolve. Visit the resource hub (a VPN is needed if off campus) for current updates, conservation guidance, escalation pathways and key actions staff should take.
Saturday update: June 13, 2026
No impacts on patient care have been identified, and none are expected at this time.
Thank you to the managers who have completed the mission-critical updates – they were very helpful in determining which supplies to prioritize. So far, it appears there are sufficient supplies on hand to get through the weekend and early next week.
The medical center has received deliveries from Medline and others over the past 24 hours, with more expected today and tomorrow. After this weekend, uncertainty remains about future supplies, as fulfillment rates so far are running about half of normal. Conservation of supplies, where possible, remains important.
Medline has told supply teams that it believes it can meet most of our needs. However, some shortages may likely occur in the coming days, and some inpatient units have escalated shortages at the unit level. Those needs are being triaged and fulfilled from our warehouse or other areas of the health system.
Procurement teams are ordering from other suppliers and working with Medline. However, it remains unclear whether everything ordered will be delivered in the coming days.
While this is generally good news, it is important to remain cautious about using supplies until the supply chain normalizes in the coming weeks.
Shortages may occur next week, especially if what suppliers say today doesn’t materialize. Please escalate to your unit manager and/or the nursing supervisor if you notice unexpectedly low levels of a supply item.
Friday update: June 12, 2026
Dear Colleagues,
UC Davis Health supply teams continue to work to identify any critical supplies that may be at risk of shortage due to the Medline warehouse fire.
At this time, no specific impacts on patient care have been identified. Please don't cancel or delay patient appointments.
As a large hospital and health system, we have multiple suppliers for many different items. While teams continue to assess the situation, clinical care team members are asked to use medical supplies carefully until the impact of this fire is known.
The Purchasing and Warehouse teams are reviewing recent Medline orders to identify priority items and begin ordering and receiving items from other suppliers. Additionally, Medline has told us they plan to supply us from other warehouses. Medline has been through incidents like this before, following the tornadoes that destroyed warehouses in the Midwest.
Incident leaders are asking clinical care teams to remain cautious and appropriate in their use of medical supplies, and to identify any items that appear to be running at lower-than-usual levels. There is no need to ‘stock up’ on items in units, as there are no current shortages. Teams holding onto extra items will create false signals about shortages when there are none.
Since we still do not know the full impact of this fire, we are asking employees to be aware of potential impacts, use supplies mindfully and wisely, avoid waste, and help identify any items that appear to be in short supply. If you notice an area of concern, please raise it through your department or division for escalation to daily huddles. Any areas of concern will be shared systemwide.
Mike Condrin, MBA Interim Chief Executive Officer
Additional Information and Next Steps: UC Davis Health maintains its own warehouse of supplies and, as you may recall from the 2020 pandemic, we can secure the supplies we need, even in challenging times. It is still too early to understand the short-term or long-term impact of the Medline facility fire, but as of now, there are no shortages.
Assessments are underway for stock on hand, and additional supply orders have been placed for the weekend. Still, due to the uncertainty, there are no guarantees about what will be delivered. This is why teams are being asked to use supplies sparingly. Also, it will be key for departments to report low inventory levels and respond to the requests for ‘mission critical supply lists,’ so any shortages can be quickly identified and prioritized for sourcing.
Supply Chain is asking every department to treat supplies as a shared, potentially finite resource until more information is available. This is not a signal that care will be compromised - it is a call for the same clinical discipline and stewardship teams demonstrated during the pandemic.
Specifically, teams are asked to:
1. Department Managers - Respond to the Mission Critical Item List TODAY: You will be receiving a 'Medline Unique Items by Cost Center' spreadsheet covering the past 40 days of usage. Completing and returning this list is the single most important thing your department can do right now, as it will drive sourcing decisions. Please return completed forms to purchasingcontracts@health.ucdavis.edu as quickly as possible.
2. Use supplies only as clinically necessary: Apply your best professional judgment to every supply decision. Avoid waste and unnecessary use wherever possible without compromising patient safety or the standard of care.
3. Do not hold extra supplies at the unit level - for any reason: Every item held back from circulation is an item we cannot account for. Please return any excess or stockpiled supplies to your Par cart or notify your Materials Management team as soon as possible.
4. Report low stock levels the moment you see them: Do not wait for your next scheduled PAR scan. If an item is running low, please let your Par Stocker or Materials Management know immediately. Early visibility is extremely important now, given the lack of information about what may be impacted.
What Supply Chain Is Doing Right Now Our team is working on every available channel simultaneously - direct manufacturer orders, alternate distributors (O&M, Cardinal Health, McKesson), Medline's alternate distribution centers, and peer institution partnerships. We are expanding our warehouse space to increase distribution capacity and standing up sub-teams to work directly with departments to obtain any needed supplies if shortages are identified.
As soon as more information about impacts, or the lack of them, becomes available, it will be shared with teams so they are aware of the latest information.
Original post: June 11, 2026
Colleagues,
You may have seen the news this afternoon about a huge fire at the Tracy warehouse for Medline, a major distributor of medical, surgical, home health and pharmacy supplies for health facilities across California.
Photo courtesy KCRA.
Effectively immediately, and until we better understand the impacts of this fire, we are limiting orders to distribution, reviewing materials requested for need, and ensuring we can manage current supply levels in anticipation of expected shortages in the near future.
This incident has the potential to impact inpatient, outpatient, and home care. So, until we know more, if you do not need a supply item, • Don’t open it, • Don’t put it out in the room, • Don’t put it on the cart, and • Don’t use supplies unnecessarily.
Of course, if it is needed for patient care, then you should use it.
It is very early in this incident. Medline is still managing this disaster, so they are not able to provide specific information about what will be impacted.
Here, and at other UCs, we are assessing which items are most likely to be impacted, but it is still too early to know. What we can do now is look at what we have in-house, see how much is used over what periods of time, and plan for and around anticipated impacts. Teams are already at work to understand the expected impacts of this fire and activate contingency plans as needed.
There are no immediate impacts on patient care services other than conservation.
However, we are planning for anticipated shortages in the coming days and weeks. As of now, it appears this extremely large warehouse of medical supplies serving much of the state has been destroyed, so we are working with our contacts at Vizient, with supply manufacturers directly, and with distribution centers in other parts of California and nearby states to develop potential solutions.
We should have more information about specific areas of expected impact within the next day or two. In the meantime, please conserve medical supplies whenever clinically appropriate, and expect that we may face some shortages in the near future.
