The U.S. healthcare system is still reeling from a nationwide IV fluid shortage in the wake of Hurricane Helene damaging a Baxter plant in September.
Hospitals, health systems and ASCs have implemented measures in response to the shortages, which are expected to linger through the remainder of the year.
5 notes:
1. Some hospitals have delayed elective surgeries to save IV fluid supplies. More than 80% of healthcare organizations nationwide are facing shortages after Hurricane Helene disrupted operations at Baxter's North Carolina plant.
2. For some orthopedic ASCs shortages have affected how staff are managing their supply. Post Falls, Idaho-based Pleasant View Surgery Center is leveraging saline locks to conserve fluids for more complex surgeries, and the Orthopaedic Surgery Center in Youngstown, Ohio is limiting its ability to maintain usual inventory levels for surgical procedures and patient care.
3. The Biden administration invoked the Defense Production Act to expedite the rebuilding of Baxter International's IV fluid facility, where production was halted. The facility is responsible for about 60% of the nation's IV fluids.
4. Baxter began importing IV fluids from two of its international manufacturing facilities to address the nation's supply shortage.
5. The CDC issued guidelines on managing supply disruptions. Recommendations include assessing inventory and reporting any potential shortages to the FDA.