Hospitals across the United States face a critical intravenous (IV) fluid shortage after Baxter International’s North Cove plant in North Carolina, one of the nation’s largest suppliers, was significantly affected by the storm surge and flooding caused by Hurricane Helene.
The disruption has left health care providers scrambling to meet patient needs and rationing essential treatments, especially after Baxter limited what facilities can order to 60 percent to “increase the likelihood of equitable access to available products,” according to its most recent update released Oct. 9.
IV fluids are a staple in the hospital setting. They provide hydration and nutrients, especially for those who are unconscious, fasting (as part of surgery needs), or unable to drink. They are life-saving in cases of severe dehydration, blood loss, or shock, common in trauma care. Patients with chronic conditions, like cancer or kidney disease, also rely on IV fluids for hydration and medication delivery….