Hospitals across the United States are facing a critical shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids, forcing medical centers to adjust how they manage patient hydration. The shortage is a result of a natural disaster that severely impacted one of the country’s largest manufacturers of IV fluids. The shortage may continue for months, leading hospitals to take measures to conserve their supplies and rethink how they deliver patient care.
In September, Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina, causing significant flooding that shut down operations at the Baxter International facility in Marion. This plant is responsible for producing 60% of the IV fluids used in the United States, according to the American Hospital Association. After the storm, the facility was forced to halt production, and the company began rationing its products, leading to a widespread shortage. As of early November, Baxter reported that the facility has resumed partial production, but it will take time to return to full capacity.
The disruption at Baxter International has left hospitals scrambling to find alternatives. In response to the ongoing shortage, many hospitals are adjusting their strategies for managing patient hydration, especially for those who require IV fluids for treatment or recovery. Administrators say they are now more carefully monitoring patients who need hydration and are using fluids more sparingly to ensure that they last.
Hospitals have also started to prioritize which patients get access to IV fluids. For example, they may choose to reserve the fluid bags for the most critical cases, such as those requiring emergency treatment, surgery, or intensive care. This shift in priorities has led some medical professionals to rethink how they provide hydration to patients, with a greater focus on oral hydration when possible.
In an effort to address the shortage, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has stepped in to help. Secretary Xavier Becerra toured the Baxter facility in November, where he saw firsthand the damage caused by the flooding. During his visit, Becerra spoke about how the government is working with Baxter to get the facility back up and running. He highlighted the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies to rebuild critical infrastructure, including temporary bridges used to transport IV products to hospitals.
Baxter has communicated to its customers that while some IV fluids will become available by the end of the year, there is no specific timeline for when production will return to normal levels. Hospitals have been advised to continue conserving their existing supplies until full production resumes.
The shortage has raised concerns among medical professionals, who worry that the rationing of IV fluids could lead to delays in care or force healthcare providers to make difficult decisions about which patients get priority access to hydration. Many doctors and nurses are accustomed to relying on IV fluids as a quick and efficient way to manage hydration, especially in patients who are critically ill or unable to drink enough fluids on their own. Without sufficient IV fluid supplies, hospitals are being forced to consider alternative methods, such as administering fluids through injections or subcutaneous delivery.
The impact of the shortage is being felt nationwide, with reports of shortages affecting hospitals in multiple states. Some hospitals are seeing delays in surgeries or treatments that require IV fluids, while others have turned to alternative suppliers to meet their needs. However, the cost of procuring IV fluids from other sources has been high, further straining hospital budgets.
In addition to these immediate challenges, the shortage has brought attention to the vulnerability of the U.S. healthcare system when it comes to the production and distribution of critical medical supplies. The Baxter facility’s closure due to the storm has highlighted the risks associated with relying on a single manufacturing plant for such a large portion of the country’s IV fluid supply. Experts say the situation underscores the need for greater diversification in the production and distribution of medical products to ensure that healthcare providers are not left vulnerable during emergencies.
For now, hospitals are focusing on providing the best care possible with the limited resources available. The shortage of IV fluids is a reminder of the fragility of the medical supply chain and the impact that natural disasters and other unforeseen events can have on the healthcare system. As hospitals continue to adapt and find solutions to this pressing issue, they remain committed to ensuring that patients receive the necessary care during this challenging time.
