US hospitals grapple with IV fluid shortages after Hurricane Helene

Hospitals across the United States are facing critical shortages of intravenous fluids after severe flooding from Hurricane Helene forced the closure of key facilities producing medical fluids. The disruptions forced healthcare systems to make sure sufficient supplies to fulfill patient needs.

Baxter International, a number one supplier of intravenous fluids to US hospitals, was hit hardest. The North Cove facility in Marion, North Carolina, which supplies roughly 60% of the nation’s intravenous fluid bags, stays closed on account of flood damage. The organization is working with federal agencies to support recovery efforts and mitigate supply disruptions. Intravenous fluids are essential in hospital surgeries. They they treat dehydration and play a key role in surgery where patients cannot eat or drink for long periods of time.

Business – wrote within the statement“Baxter’s North Cove facility was affected by storm flooding and production is currently closed. The company is working around the clock, in close coordination with local, state and federal officials, to assess the extent of the damage and implement a plan to return the plant to operations as quickly as possible to help mitigate disruptions to patient supplies.”

José (Joe) E. Almeida, chairman, president and CEO of Baxter, emphasized the urgent must resume production.

“Recovery efforts are already underway and we will spare no resources – human or financial – to resume production and help provide patients and providers with the products they need,” Almeida said.

Shortages are already straining hospitals, and major health systems like Mass General Brigham are feeling the pinch. Dr. Paul Biddinger, director of hospital network readiness and continuity, said Baxter expects only about 40% of its usual supplies. He called it “one of the biggest shortages” they’ve ever faced.

“As we experienced similar challenges following Hurricane Maria in 2017, we remain mindful of how we manage the supply of these medications to ensure minimal impact to our patients,” Biddinger said. “Hospital operations continue as normal and patient care remains unaffected, but we are monitoring the situation closely.”

Other intravenous fluid manufacturers are stepping in to fill the gap. B. Braun, which has manufacturing facilities in Irvine, California, and Daytona Beach, Florida, confirmed that Hurricane Helene didn’t impact its facilities. The company increased production and placed its products under a “protective allocation,” encouraging hospitals to conserve supplies and search for alternative hydration methods. “We are taking immediate steps to increase production at our pharmaceutical facilities, focusing on key intravenous fluids,” the spokesman said.

ICU Medical, one other key player within the intravenous fluids market, also announced that it’s increasing production to fulfill the sudden demand. “We are working to increase production to meet market needs while continuing to support our existing customers,” the corporate said.

The current shortages are paying homage to the crisis of 2017, when Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, a serious manufacturing center for medical supplies, resulting in widespread shortages of intravenous fluids.

Elective surgeries could also be canceled if intravenous fluid deficiency becomes severe.

BLACK ENTERPRISES spoke to the surgical coordinator, who selected to stay anonymous, to see if Helene had any influence on elective surgeries equivalent to cosmetic procedures. The New Life Plastic Surgery Coordinator explained that while their facility has not canceled any upcoming procedures, it doesn’t impact the cosmetic surgery industry in Miami – right now.

“We have not canceled any procedures. If anything changes, we will keep our patients informed. Miami has not been directly affected, but we are vigilant.”

What patients can expect

Most adjustments will happen behind the scenes, so patients may not notice an absence of intravenous fluid unless the situation worsens. The goal of the FDA and health care providers is to forestall the issue from affecting patient care, but in some cases treatment may change.

For example, patients presenting to the emergency room with symptoms equivalent to nausea or vomiting are sometimes given intravenous fluids for rehydration. With limited supply, hospitals could also be storing intravenous bags for critically ailing patients, equivalent to those in intensive care or undergoing surgery. Instead, less critical patients could be given anti-nausea medications and encouraged to remain hydrated with drinks equivalent to Gatorade or Pedialyte, says veteran critical care nurse and advanced practice nurse Brenda Riley.

This approach helps be certain that essentially the most vulnerable patients proceed to receive the fluids they need while minimizing the general need for intravenous supplies.

As hospitals deal with the most recent crisis, many are calling for long-term solutions to avoid such disruptions in the long run. Experts warn that offer chain vulnerabilities in disaster-prone regions should be addressed to safeguard the healthcare system against future shortages.