Doctors are concerned that the recent spate of hurricanes in the south, and the incoming Hurricane Milton, will cause a major shortage of IV fluid. That means people who need lifesaving care could die on the operating table.
At a Glance
- Hurricane Helene halted Baxter’s IV fluid production, heavily impacting U.S. supply.
- Hospitals now receive only 40% of their usual IV shipments, leading to rationing.
- Biden administration asked to declare a national shortage to mitigate impact.
- Hurricane Milton poses additional supply threats, necessitating further precautions.
Root Causes of the Shortage
Hurricane Helene prompted the temporary closure of Baxter International’s manufacturing facility in North Carolina, leading to a dire shortage of IV solutions in U.S. hospitals. Baxter’s plant previously provided around 60% of IV fluids used daily nationwide. Supply has drastically reduced, with hospitals now receiving just 40% of their regular shipments. Consequently, the American Hospital Association (AHA) urged the Biden administration to officially acknowledge a shortage, allowing health facilities to create and conserve their solutions.
This shortage coincides with the onset of respiratory viral season, severely impacting hospitals’ ability to ensure patient hydration during flu, RSV, and COVID outbreaks. The urgency of the situation necessitates immediate strategic interventions from both the government and healthcare providers. Hospitals have begun adapting, postponing surgeries, adjusting fluid-drawing protocols, and increasing reliance on oral hydration solutions like Gatorade or Powerade to compensate for the IV fluid deficit.
Helene caused a national IV fluid shortage. Milton could make it worse. https://t.co/A1KGJ0kQ92
— E&E News (@EENewsUpdates) October 9, 2024
Potential Solutions and Mitigations
The FDA considers temporary imports and fast-tracked reviews to alleviate shortages, supported by the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. ICU Medical remains unaffected, boosting production to meet anticipated demand. Meanwhile, Baxter aims to restore up to 100% of its output by the end of 2024, implementing phased plant restarts and importing goods from other locations. The need for resilient supply chains is underscored by the AHA’s request for extended expiration dates and shared, in-house prepared IV solutions within hospital systems.
“We’ve changed how we order fluids. What type of size of bag of fluid that we use,” Dr. Jonathan Stallkamp stated. “Where we use fluids and maybe where we encourage more oral hydration and getting people to drink Powerade or Gatorade.”
Hospitals continue to adjust by seeking alternative suppliers and implementing conservation measures. Rep. Debbie Dingell’s call for strengthened supply chains aims to prevent future disruptions, emphasizing the interconnectedness of governmental and societal responses. The Department of Health and Human Services is working with manufacturers like B. Braun Medical to move products clear of impending Hurricane Milton, which threatens another significant facility in Florida.
https://twitter.com/EENewsUpdates/status/1843966349686546778
Fingers crossed this hurricane passes and causes minimal damage…both in terms of destruction and also in terms of supply logistics.
