Hospitals dealing with IV shortage in wake of Hurricane Helene
Associated Press
Associated PressA nurse hooks up an IV to a flu patient at Upson Regional Medical Center in Thomaston, Ga., in this file photo.
Hospitals in Southwestern Pennsylvania are carefully watching IV fluid supplies, as medical facilities across the country cope with IV supply shortages in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Last month’s powerful storm damaged a Baxter International IV-manufacturing factory in Marion, N.C., that produces 60% of the United States’ supply of intravenous fluids and dialysis solutions – or 1.5 million bags.
The factory’s shutdown has led to a national shortage of IV fluids, and hospitals that serve Washington, Greene and Fayette counties are doing what they can to conserve supplies.
So far, hospitals in the region are reporting that they haven’t had to postpone surgeries or other procedures, and are stretching their supplies as much as they can.
“As with all hospital systems, our facilities have felt the impact of the IV fluid shortage. We are employing conservation strategies and utilizing alternate vendors as we are able,” said Dr. Trina Abla, CMO at Penn Highlands Healthcare, noting the health system has not had to cancel procedures or surgeries.
Hospitals use IV fluids to keep patients hydrated and to deliver medications. They are also important for surgery.
In a statement, UPMC said, “UPMC has robust supply chain relationships and detailed mitigation plans systemwide. Patient care has not been disrupted.”
WVU Health System, which includes WVU Medicine Uniontown in Fayette County, hasn’t had to delay or postpone surgeries, but has implemented conservation methods, including substituting oral electrolyte fluids – such as Pedialyte – to keep patients hydrated and using smaller bags of IV fluid.
AHN Director of Public Relations Bill Toland said the health system is “closely monitoring the supply-chain disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene” and is taking steps to mitigate shortages, particularly when it comes to pharmacy products and IV fluids.
“Until the supply returns to normal, we are actively conserving the utilization of certain intravenous fluids and dialysis solutions, as well as other products across our facility, while also working with additional suppliers that have not been impacted by the hurricane to secure extra inventory when we can,” Toland said in an email.
AHN, like other local health systems, has not yet delayed elective procedures as a result of the IV shortages.
Dr. Todd Karpinski, WVU Health System’s chief pharmacy officer, said the hospital system was notified that WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital will receive a 100% allocation of its IV fluid, which was welcome news.
“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve implemented mitigation strategies,” said Karpinski, noting, “as of today we’ve not had to delay a single surgery, nor turn away any patient care.”
Baxter hopes to reopen the North Carolina facility in phases by the end of the year.