Healthcare providers in the state face IV fluid shortage caused by Hurricane Helene

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — As Hurricane Helene devastated parts of North Carolina and other surrounding states, the impact is having affects across the country.

Baxter International, a global medical device company that provides products and services for patients and healthcare professionals, was significantly affected by the hurricane at their Marion, North Carolina, manufacturing facility.

Having been closed since Sept. 29 after the hurricane hit, the facility was responsible for producing approximately 1.5 million bags of IV solution per day, supplying about 60% of the IV solutions used in the United States, according to the United States Department of Justice.

Gov. Kristi Noem and four fellow Republican governors in urged President Joe Biden on Oct. 17 to immediately address the shortage of IV fluid.

“Hospital and health systems across our states are employing conservation strategies and exploring alternatives to protect sound clinical care in our states. But conservation strategies have limited effectiveness and are not sustainable strategies without increased production and reliable access,” wrote Gov. Noem and her colleagues.

The letter requested specific actions be taken including collaboration with the Food and Drug Administration to identify international manufacturers capable of producing sterile IV solutions and their containers; removal of any barriers preventing the importation of sterile IV and peritoneal dialysis solutions from abroad and that the Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice should be on alert for any instances of price gouging related to this shortage.

Since the closure of the plant, the South Dakota Department of Health said they have been actively working with South Dakota healthcare systems and other providers across the state to address the IV fluid shortage caused by the closure of the Baxter International facility.

According to the Department of Health, South Dakota healthcare facilities are implementing strategies to conserve IV fluids and prevent shortages. These strategies include using different delivery methods for medications as appropriate, focusing on good oral hydration and limiting waste.

David Basel, doctor of pediatrics and internal medicine at Avera McKennan Hospital & University Health Center in Sioux Falls, said that while they have conservation strategies in place, they have been successful in not having much of an affect on patient care.

“They may get a few more requests to orally hydrate before or if they come in with vomiting and diarrhea, they may see that we work a little bit harder to get them to drink in the emergency room, rather than just popping them on the fluids,” Basel said.

Although Basel said their efforts to lower their use has caused an increase in workflow, it’s still business as usual from a patient perspective.

“We’ve been really very effective in dropping down our utilization,” Basel said. “Right now we’re in a reasonable place where we’re kind of matching and not having to cancel procedures or anything like that.”

In a statement, Sanford Health said they are not seeing any significant changes due to the shortage when providing care for their patients.

“Sanford Health is not currently experiencing any significant shortage of IV fluids in our hospitals and clinics. We continue to monitor supply and have initiated conservation efforts to support those that are experiencing shortages. At this point we are not postponing any surgeries, including elective surgeries, due to shortages in IV fluids.”

According to an Oct. 24 update in a press release, barring any unanticipated developments, Baxter anticipates restarting IV solution manufacturing within the next week.