IV Fluid Shortage Following Hurricane Forces Hospitals to Delay Surgeries

Hospitals across the United States are facing a severe shortage of IV fluids after Hurricane Helene caused extensive flooding at a major manufacturing plant in North Carolina, the Washington Post reports.

This shortage has prompted some hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and adopt strict measures to conserve their remaining supplies. The hurricane flooded Baxter International’s North Cove facility, which produces 60% of the country’s IV fluid supply.

In response to the crisis, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) declared a formal shortage of several IV fluid products. Some hospitals have been authorized to manufacture their own supply, while others are relying on emergency shipments from international Baxter facilities. However, the shortage has yet to be resolved, and compounding pharmacies face challenges in quickly producing sterile fluids due to limited access to necessary materials.

IV fluids are critical for treating patients requiring hydration, dialysis, and surgeries. According to a survey by healthcare supply chain company Premier, 86% of healthcare providers are experiencing shortages, with 17% having already canceled elective surgeries. Many hospitals are now rationing their supply, limiting IV use to essential cases and using alternatives like oral hydration for certain patients.

Baxter has initiated recovery efforts, deploying 3,000 workers to restore operations at the damaged plant. The company aims to restart production in phases and hopes to restore 90-100% of its product allocation by the end of the year. In the meantime, temporary bridges have been constructed to aid in the transportation of supplies, and international shipments have been approved by the FDA.

Hospitals, such as Duke University Hospital, have been closely monitoring IV fluid usage and expect to continue these conservation efforts in the weeks ahead. Not all hospitals are equally affected, but many are taking steps to manage their resources, echoing strategies used during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The shortage has also disrupted the availability of irrigation fluids, essential for certain surgeries like urological and joint procedures. Some hospitals, including the University of Virginia Health, have postponed non-urgent operations to conserve their fluid supplies for emergencies and cancer surgeries.