With the facility responsible for about 60% of the nation’s IV fluids, the administration is prioritizing swift recovery to ensure hospitals can adequately meet patient needs.
“Ensuring people have medical supplies they need is a top priority of the administration,” an HHS official stated.
Here are four more updates regarding the IV shortage:
- Baxter has begun importing IV fluids from its international manufacturing facilities in Canada, China, Ireland and the U.K. In collaboration with HHS and the FDA, Baxter activated seven plants worldwide, aiming to rapidly increase inventory levels to meet soaring demand.
- The FDA clarified that there is no longer a one-mile radius policy restricting the distribution of compounded drugs during the shortage. This change allows hospitals and pharmacies greater flexibility in sourcing necessary IV fluids.
- Hospitals nationwide are postponing elective and non-emergency procedures due to limited availability of IV fluid. More than 80% of healthcare organizations are reporting IV fluid shortages, according to a recent Premier survey. As a result, health systems have implemented various mitigation strategies, such as rescheduling surgeries and prioritizing critical patients.
- As demand continues to exceed supply, healthcare facilities are also strategically allocating IV sets. Hospitals are being advised to prioritize usage based on urgency, ensuring the most critical patients are receiving necessary treatments.
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