This story was reported and written by VPM News.
Virginia hospitals are among those dealing with national IV fluid shortages in the wake of Hurricane Helene.
Baxter International supplies about 60% of the nation’s IV fluid out of its western North Carolina manufacturing site near Asheville — that is, until the facility was inundated by Hurricane Helene’s floodwaters.
Julian Walker with the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association told VPM News that’s where the Virginia Healthcare Emergency Management Program comes in. Now, health systems in the commonwealth are working with VHHA, the state and federal government to coordinate a response.
“That program works to be ready for, to drill for, to have resources for situations that have a widespread public health impact,” Walker said.
Walker says it’s still too early to know what the impacts of the IV fluid shortage will be. That will depend on other manufacturing facilities’ ability to make up for lost production and the needs of different hospitals.
University of Virginia Health announced over the weekend it was contacting patients to postpone elective surgeries scheduled for this Monday and Tuesday at University Medical Center.
The Charlottesville-based health system didn’t say if additional postponements were expected — but it’s prioritizing urgent surgeries as the only level 1 trauma centerin the region.
Baxter International said on Oct 3 it has hundreds of federal workers at its North Carolina site. No timeline is available for when IV fluid production will restart.
A spokesperson for VCU Health told VPM News it is conserving its supply of IV fluid and working with other suppliers to stay stocked up.
An HCA Healthcare spokesperson said the HCA Virginia system has contingency plans in place to “maintain adequate supplies.”
Hospitals in Hampton Roads say supply isn't an issue yet, but they are preparing just in case.
Children's Hospital of the King's Daughter said its supply isn't affected right now. Chesapeake Regional Medical Center is conserving IV fluid when possible and working with its supply chain department to identify other options until its regular vendors are available again.
Riverside Health said it is proactively managing its IV fluid supply to make sure there is no disruption to care. It means patients may receive different fluids when "clinically appropriate," the system said in a statement.
Sentara, Hampton Roads' largest hospital system, said in a statement it doesn't use Baxter International for its IV solutions.
The system currently has a 30-60-day supply of dialysis products on hand, which includes IV fluids.
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