Medline is the last resort company for hospitals that are bordering on bankruptcy. They fund the hospitals payables in exchange for the hospital switching to their substandard products.
They are known as having terrible-but cheap products. They stumbled on to a great business model as hospitals began to struggle for their existance. For example, medline came out with a closed suction catheter about 2 years ago. To the best of my knowledge, they have zero market share, as the product is outright dangerous. Yes, they sell cheap gowns and booties, can't screw that up too much, and they force their unfortunate hospitals to switch to their oral care kits as part of the 'deal' to save the hospital. K-C is far from a bargain, but at least our products (when available) are well respected and well made.