Hurricane Helene has forced medical fluid manufacturers to suspend manufacturing, causing a scarcity of IV fluid that is apparently causing serious problems for several hospitals across the United States.
According to the BBC, Hurricane Helene caused flooding at a business that produced IV solutions for one of the biggest manufacturers in the nation.
The top provider of intravenous fluids to hospitals, Baxter International, announced that its Marion, North Carolina, facility would be closed for the foreseeable future.
According to a statement posted on its website, “Baxter’s North Cove facility was impacted by flooding and is presently closed for production as they assess the extent of the impact.”
Drugs or water-containing electrolytes can be directly injected into a patient’s circulation via intravenous fluids. They are also essential for keeping patients hydrated during surgery when they are unable to eat or drink for any reason. Baxter also produces specialty fluids, such as irrigation fluids used to clean or flush wounds during procedures and peritoneal dialysis fluid, which aids patients with kidney failure in filtering waste from their blood.
José (Joe) E. Almeida, the CEO of Baxter, stated in a statement, “Remediation efforts are already happening, and we will not spare any resources — human or financial — to continue production and help ensure patients have what they need.”
Mass General Brigham is also one of the healthcare systems that has not gotten its regular IV fluid supply. During a news conference on Friday, Dr. Paul Biddinger, the chief readiness and continuity officer, stated that the hospital network anticipates receiving roughly 40% of what it typically receives from Baxter.
The hospital network has seen “one of the biggest shortages” in its history, according to the bidder.
Other IV fluid producers, however, claim to be boosting output to address the shortfall. B. Braun said it is “taking steps to increase our production at our sites in Irvine, California, and Daytona Beach, focusing on critical IV fluids,” adding that none of its manufacturing facilities were impacted by Hurricane Helene.
Additionally, the business put its goods on “protective allocation” and is now urging IV providers to use conservation measures, such as alternative hydration techniques.
