The threat of hurricane-induced shortages has become alarmingly real, particularly following the recent impacts of Hurricane Helene. Hospitals across the U.S. are feeling the pinch as their supplies of intravenous (IV) fluids dwindle, which are critically important for patient care. The primary culprit for this shortage has been Baxter International, the largest producer of IV fluids, whose factory in North Cove, North Carolina suffered significant damage from the hurricane, inundated by torrential rains and flooding.
Baxter’s North Cove facility is responsible for producing approximately 60% of the nation’s IV fluids, which translates to about 1.5 million bags daily. With this plant’s operation severely hindered, healthcare systems and hospitals across the country are scrambling to manage their resources. Mike Waldt, the system director of pharmacy at North Memorial Health, emphasized the current situation, stating, "The thing we are most nervous about right now is the production capacity of Baxter which is currently limited because of the hurricane damage."
This problem isn't isolated to North Carolina — it reverberates through the entire healthcare system. North Memorial Health Hospital, based in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, has been forced to assess its liquid supply critically. Waldt noted they are focusing on conserving resources but have managed to postpone only a small number of surgeries. "We’ve canceled very few procedures, but the instances we had involved cases requiring significant fluid use," he reported.
While North Memorial is fortunate not to have been forced to delay major surgical operations, other hospitals, including those affiliated with M Health Fairview and Allina Health systems, have paused elective surgeries due to the IV fluid limitations. These shortages are forcing hospitals to implement cutting-edge conservation strategies.
The shortage is particularly dire across the Carolinas where hospitals have resorted to unconventional methods to cope. Reports indicated some facilities are turning to alternate hydration methods, including the use of Gatorade and other electrolyte solutions to supplement genuine IV fluids for hydration. "Gatorade? That’s right," noted officials at Novant Health, which is recognized as one of the two major healthcare providers for the Charlotte region. They are evaluating patient needs on case-by-case bases to provide hydration alternatives.
"Our goal is to minimize the impact on patient care and find the best alternatives available," they remarked. Adjacent healthcare systems like Atrium Health are closely monitoring their supplies and seeking additional products from suppliers not impacted by the hurricane. This ingenuity reflects how hospitals are striving to manage hydration needs amid this severe shortage.
Hurricane Milton, which threatened the East Coast of Florida shortly after Hurricane Helene, became another source of apprehension as the B Braun facility — responsible for another 23% of the IV fluids supplied to the market — was at risk. Thankfully, initial assessments indicated it was "largely unscathed." Nonetheless, the potential ripple effects from Milton lingered, as officials remained cautious about the broader impact it could have on labor supply chains.
Indeed, the failure of pharmaceuticals and IV fluids, be it through natural disasters or supply chain disruptions, reveals another layer of the complicated web of healthcare provisions. Baxter has been communicating actively, advocating for more supplies from its global plants as it re-establishes its North Cove production. According to company announcements, Baxter intends to ramp up operations gradually and aims to restore around 90% to 100% of allocations by the end of the year.
On the federal level, the American Hospital Association (AHA) has reached out to the Biden Administration, requesting urgent action be taken to address the shortages. The AHA has suggested invoking the Defense Production Act to expedite the production and distribution of much-needed IV fluids. AHA President Richard J. Pollack stressed, "The AHA strongly urges the Administration to take immediate actions to increase the supply of IV solutions for the nation’s hospitals, health systems, and other healthcare providers."
This collective response emphasizes the importance of IV fluids in patient care and points out the repercussions of hurricanes on what may initially seem unconnected industries. The impending operations and treatments dependent on IV fluids pose risks for both emergency and elective procedural care. Patients requiring IV hydration for kidney failure, emergency surgeries, and routine infusion therapies could face dire conditions if this shortage continues to escalate.
Aside from conservation and alternate hydration, hospitals are reevaluated existing inventories, establishing supply chain task forces to manage disruptions. The University of Maryland Medical System has implemented such measures, monitoring supplies closely and adjusting to current needs. Meanwhile, UVA Health has made the tough call to postpone certain elective surgeries this week to conserve the remaining IV fluid supply, prioritizing urgent patient needs during this challenging time.
All told, as recovery efforts progress post-Hurricane Helene, the healing process extends beyond physical damages to infrastructure. With healthcare providers creatively sourcing alternative hydration methods, patients and families are being informed and reassured about care adjustments. The imminent need is clear: as these crises challenge their resilience, hospitals will need to band together to offer support and find creative solutions to rising healthcare challenges.
