Intravenous (IV) fluid shortages exacerbated by Hurricane Helen damage at Baxter’s Marion, North Carolina, manufacturing plant are expected to last for months despite increased allocations to customers and distributors. announced the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). said in letter I went to the hospital yesterday.
Many people have lost their lives since the hurricane flooded the factory in late September. hospital Across the country, non-emergency surgeries are being postponed and oral electrolytes (e.g., Gatorade, Pedialyte) are being substituted. Baxter supplies about 60% of IV fluids to U.S. hospitals.
In the letter, Department of Health Secretary Dr. Xavier Becerra, We noted that saline IV fluids, saline irrigation fluids, sterile water irrigation fluids, and dextrose 5% IV fluids are currently in short supply.
“We understand that supplies may continue to be limited in the coming weeks and certain products are being allocated, but after last week’s pause, Baxter has announced that following last week’s pause, hospitals, dialysis “We have informed them in advance that we have resumed shipments to providers and patients,” he said.
The goal is at least 90% by the end of the year
In the short term, several global Baxter factories will ramp up production, other domestic manufacturers will step in to fulfill orders within their quotas, and the FDA will work with Baxter to expand production already in the company’s system. Inventory supports current allocations while identifying products and providing rapid response. We will consider requests for expiration date extensions and consider temporary importation of products.
Due to our vulnerable patient population, we allocate IV fluids and nutritional products to designated children.‘of hospitals increased to 100%.
The letter said HHS’ Office of Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is working with Baxter and other partners to assist with infrastructure repairs. Based on this, the company stated its efforts to increase production capacity at other factories and its expectations for inbound products and air transportation. yesterday The company announced that it has increased the allocation of the most in-demand IV fluids from 40% to 60% for direct customers and from 10% to 60% for distributors.
“We are also increasing our allotments for high-strength dextrose and sterile water for injections and expect to be in a position to make additional allotments for certain product codes by early November,” Baxter said. said. “Because the patients they serve are vulnerable, IV fluids and nutritional products are allocated to designated children.‘hospitals increased to 100%. ”
The company says its goal is to ramp up production and return specific IV solution allocations from 90% to 100% by the end of the year.
Hospital requests implementation of maintenance plan
Until supplies are restored, “HHS will continue to assess product allocations to manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors and to health care providers to maintain safe, high-quality patient care, regardless of supply conditions.” and encourage them to implement product conservation strategies to maximize available supplies,” the letter said.
HHS recommends that hospitals implement organization-wide fluid storage plans to prioritize vulnerable populations with specific needs (such as pediatric and neonatal patients) and to use clinically equivalent products (oral injections, intramuscular injections) It is necessary to consider alternative strategies such as subcutaneous injections (subcutaneous injections). Compounding of drugs on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Drug Shortage List.
