As hospitals across the U.S. confront an IV fluid shortage following the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, there have been new reports of supply disruptions.
Here are five updates:
- The American Hospital Association urged the Biden administration to declare the IV shortage an national emergency, citing in an Oct. 7 news release significant challenges for healthcare leaders. The agency requested the administration declare the shortage a national emergency under the National Emergencies Act and requested that it direct the FDA to declare a shortage to enable flexibility for healthcare providers.
- Hospitals across the country are experiencing shortages and have conservation measures in place. Among them are Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland-based MetroHealth System, Cleveland-based University Hospitals and Akron, Ohio-based Summa Health. In Minnesota, North Memorial Health-Robbinsdale Hospital and Minneapolis-based Allina Health are also struggling to maintain adequate IV fluid supplies, CBS News reported.
- Allina Health and Minneapolis-based M Health Fairview told CBS News they were rescheduling some nonemergent surgeries “to ensure patients who have the most urgent needs get the care they need.” Similarly, Summa Health is conserving IV fluids and looking for other suppliers of critical fluids.
- Somerville, Mass.-based Mass General Brigham said Oct. 3 that Baxter sent a letter to the health system and other customers stating it would receive 40% of the level of supplies it typically receives.
- Healthcare leaders at some institutions are beginning to implement emergency protocols to manage product scarcity. This includes, in some cases, prioritizing IV fluids for critical care patients while also exploring alternative treatment options for less urgent cases, potentially leading to treatment delays.
