Nationwide Shortage of IV Fluids Forces Oregon Health and Science University to Postpone 108 Surgeries
Hurricane Helene knocked an IV factory offline, forcing the Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) to postpone 108 surgeries this week.
The Shortage is Expected to Continue for Four to Six Weeks
The nationwide shortage of IV fluid is expected to continue for another four to six weeks, according to the OHSU Interim CEO, John Ness.
The Baxter International factory in North Carolina produces about 50 percent of the IV fluids used in hospitals around the country.
At a public meeting on Friday, Ness said the OHSU relies on Baxter for its IV fluids, making it one of the most vulnerable hospitals in Oregon. Other healthcare organizations, like Kaiser and Legacy Health, obtain IV fluids from a different supplier.
Dextrose, electrolytes and saline are in short supply and are the most used fluids given to patients during surgery, in intensive care, or when receiving treatment in emergency wards.
Ness told the public meeting that the next four to six weeks would be challenging, while Sara Hottman, a spokesperson for the OHSU, said about 25 percent of non-urgent surgical procedures would have to be rescheduled.
Operations placed on hold include bariatric surgeries, and hernia and joint repairs. The OHSU will communicate directly with affected patients.
Meanwhile, Baxter is using a rationing system to distribute its remaining stock of IV fluids to its customer-base. The company managed to salvage 450 truckloads of IV fluids from warehouses and its flooded North Carolina factory.
Legacy Health has supplied the OHSU with some fluids and confirmed that it would continue to help health partners wherever possible. Legacy said it keeps a backup supply of IV fluids for emergencies.
Federal Government Comes to the Rescue
The federal government has also come to the rescue. It has relaxed some of its production regulations and is working alongside Baxter to airlift IV solutions from various production factories overseas.
The first delivery of the airlifted fluids was expected to arrive yesterday (Saturday).
With federal help, Baxter is optimistic it can return its North Carolina factory to full production by the end of 2024.
The dean of the OHSU School of Medicine, Nathan Selden, warned that a single-source supplier creates vulnerability. ‘The health care system needs to rethink the strategy of trying to drive down prices by using one supplier,’ he said.