Hospitals throughout Arizona are grappling with a significant IV fluid shortage, a crisis sparked by the flooding of Baxter International’s facility in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

As one of the primary suppliers of IV fluids in the U.S., the company’s production has come to a standstill, prompting various hospitals to implement measures to conserve their remaining resources.

Dr. Purvi Parikh from the Arizona Medical Association highlighted the gravity of the situation, stating that hospitals are now asked to ration their supplies. “The plant aims to resume operations this week, but uncertainty remains regarding its capacity to meet the continued high demand,” she explained.

The need for IV fluids is paramount in critical medical scenarios, including trauma care and managing severe allergic reactions, conditions where time and access to resources are crucial for survival. “There are no reserves or backup manufacturers for a crisis of this magnitude,” Parikh noted, voicing concerns about relying on international sources like the UK and China for fluids.

In response to the dwindling supply, Banner Health announced on October 14 that it has begun postponing elective surgeries across its facilities. “While we have received some partial shipments and strict conservation measures are in place, our current supply is not enough for our usual surgical volume,” said a hospital spokesperson.

HonorHealth is actively monitoring the situation but asserts that patient care has not yet been impacted. The Mayo Clinic is also assessing its inventory while confirming that their surgical schedules remain intact for now.

Experts suggest recovery may be slow. “The hurricane’s impact means even if Baxter resumes operations quickly, ramping up to full production will take time,” Dr. Parikh said. The situation underscores the vulnerabilities within the healthcare supply chain and the critical need for contingency planning in crises.

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