Healthcare providers across the United States are grappling with a severe shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids after Hurricanes Helene and Milton severely disrupted supply chains. The storms have highlighted the fragile nature of medical supply networks, prompting concerns about patient care and hospital operations.
Mass General Brigham, the largest hospital-based research enterprise in the country, announced on Friday that it would postpone non-emergent, elective procedures from Sunday through at least Wednesday. The hospital cited uncertainties caused by the nationwide shortage, stating it was unclear when the supply of IV fluids would improve.
According to a survey released on Thursday by healthcare logistics company Premier Inc., over 86 percent of healthcare providers nationwide are experiencing shortages of IV fluids. The crisis began after Hurricane Helene damaged a Baxter IV plant in North Carolina late last month, taking 60 percent of the country's IV solution supply offline for the foreseeable future.
In response, hospitals are implementing conservation strategies. Patients are encouraged to stay hydrated with oral solutions like Gatorade or Pedialyte when possible, and IV fluid bags are prepared only when absolutely necessary. Mass General Brigham is among the institutions adopting these measures to manage limited resources.
U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra warned in a letter dated October 9 to healthcare leaders that the supply may \"continue to be constrained\" in the coming weeks. He noted that Hurricane Milton might further disrupt \"an already fragile market.\"
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Baxter are working to identify alternative IV, dialysis, and nutrition products. The FDA is also expediting reviews of manufacturers' requests to extend the shelf life of existing products to mitigate the shortage.
However, smaller medical facilities are facing acute challenges. The Premier survey indicated that facilities with 25 or fewer beds were more likely to have none of their IV orders filled. There is also significant concern for dialysis patients who rely on IV treatments administered at home.
The American Hospital Association has urged the Biden administration to take more aggressive action. Recommendations include invoking the Defense Production Act to prioritize IV solution manufacturing and removing barriers to importing products from foreign suppliers.
The ongoing shortage underscores the vulnerability of essential medical supply chains to natural disasters. As hospitals navigate these challenges, there is an urgent call for systemic changes to ensure resilience against future disruptions.
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U.S. hospitals struggle as storms cut medical products supply chain
cgtn.com
