The federal government and medical suppliers have taken several steps to help ease the supply crunch created by Hurricane Helene, which forced Baxter International to close its North Carolina plant late last month. But experts say supplies are still choppy, and improvements will take time. Hospitals have begun postponing planned procedures that can wait, like some orthopedic surgeries or heart procedures, highlighting how crucial the IV and sterile fluids are to patient care. Despite efforts to mitigate the impact, the wait for patients could be prolonged.
It's not great for patients, but it's kind of doing the most good with what you have,
Baxter's North Cove, North Carolina, location makes about 60% of the intravenous solutions used in the U.S. every day, according to the American Hospital Association. It also makes fluids used by patients on home dialysis and sterile water used to clean patient surgery sites during operations. This highlights the significant role the Baxter plant plays in the healthcare supply chain, making the ramifications of its closure particularly severe for patients needing urgent medical care.
Some switched patients who can drink fluids to Gatorade or water instead of giving them an IV. This adaptation reflects the urgent measures health systems are taking in response to the shortage, emphasizing the critical nature of IV solutions and the need for healthcare providers to be flexible during supply chain disruptions.
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