Tenet Healthcare Commits to Non-PVC Medical Products

Tenet Healthcare Corporation, the second-largest U.S. health care company (120 hospitals) has agreed to give preference when purchasing supplies to those made without PVC provided they are reasonably priced and of equal quality. This directive also applies to BuyPower, a group purchasing operation owned by Tenet, which purchases about $3 billion in medical products a year. Tenet agreed to work with suppliers to develop PVC-free disposable medical products.

Earlier this year we reported that Baxter International, the largest U.S. IV bag manufacturer, committed to phase out use of PVC. Universal Health Services, Kaiser Permanente and Catholic Healthcare West are shifting away from vinyl too. PVC is used in 25 percent of plastic medical products, alternatives to which are readily available at competitive prices.

The decision was spurred by a shareholder proposal from three institutional investors – Sisters of Saint Francis, Medical Mission Sisters, and the Service Employees International Union Master Trust. They asked Tenet to consider eliminating PVC because of its health and environmental threats; dioxin, a known carcinogen and reproductive toxin, is a byproduct of the manufacturing process and of incineration PVC waste. Research indicates that phthalates, a softener in PVC products, leach from medical products, notably IV bags, into the solutions they contain.