November 11, 2024 – A number of weeks after Baxter quickly closed its North Carolina manufacturing facility, the nation's main provider of intravenous options, 84% of hospital employees reported average or crucial fluid deficiency, in response to Becker's Hospital Evaluate.

In late September, Hurricane Helene flooded the Baxter property, leading to a nationwide scarcity of IV fluids and prompting some hospitals to postpone surgical procedures. The American Society of Well being-System Pharmacists surveyed 401 of its members from Oct. 16 to 25 to evaluate the severity of the scarcity.

47% of respondents, who’re accountable for buying and stock administration, reported that their present stock of high-volume liquids has solely two weeks or much less of stock, the survey discovered.

Three-quarters of respondents mentioned Baxter is the highest provider of high-volume fluids at their facility. The commonest mitigation methods included changing infused drugs to injection or intramuscular administration (71% of respondents), rationing fluids for particular scientific indications (60%), and implementing oral hydration protocols (58%).

In a Nov. 7 press launch, Baxter mentioned it expects to quickly produce 85% of its pre-Helene provide of 1-liter IV answer models – the commonest measurement utilized by hospitals and clinics. The North Carolina facility presently produces 50% of regular manufacturing of 1 liter infusion luggage.

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