Have you seen our new commercial? Titled “Special Delivery,” the commercial features a young woman who goes into labor in the middle of the night and frantically makes her way to the hospital with her husband.

In a comedic twist, they are shocked to be greeted by our narrator in an empty hospital waiting room —   no lights, no furniture, and no supplies. Our trusty narrator explains “this is what a hospital would look like without oil and natural gas.”

As the couple makes their way to the delivery room, critical supplies magically appear as viewers are encouraged to consider all the items that are made with oil and natural gas. The importance of these petroleum products in our daily lives is no more obvious than in a hospital.

Medical supplies are predominantly made of plastic, which is produced by processing natural gas and oil into petrochemicals. Plastic materials are critical components of disposable items such as gloves, masks, syringes, surgical gowns, IV tubing, sterile packaging, and blood bags that help reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Petrochemicals are also key to many of the lifesaving medicines used to treat millions of patients every year such as aspirin and antibiotics. Pharmaceuticals represent about 3% of petrochemical use, but nearly 99% of pharmaceutical feedstocks and compounds are derived from petrochemicals.

In many ways, petroleum products are fundamental to modern healthcare. MRI machines, for example, must be made with plastics so the magnets can function correctly. Plastic prosthetics and heart valves allow for enhanced features, functionality, and cost efficiency.

Hospitals are also full of everyday items made from petroleum products including computers, phones, bedding, flooring, furniture, hand sanitizer, lotions, pill bottles, and eyeglasses. Petroleum products are used to fuel ambulances and backup generators, as well as heat buildings and power the electric grid.

Fact is, modern medicine relies on oil and natural gas, not just for transportation and power, but for life-saving pharmaceuticals and medical technology.