Connecticut Hospitals, Health Systems Continue To Mitigate Impacts of Nationwide IV Solution Shortage

As the country navigates the challenges posed by the ongoing nationwide intravenous (IV) solution shortage, Connecticut hospitals and health systems continue to employ alternative hydration and medication delivery methods, as conservation of IV and peritoneal dialysis (PD) remains crucial to preserving quality of patient care.

The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) is monitoring impacts on operations throughout the state in collaboration with healthcare providers and the Connecticut Departments of Public Health (DPH) and Consumer Protection (DCP).  CHA is communicating to Connecticut congressional delegation staff members’ experience and concerns in addition to discussing strategies to prevent IV solution supply chain disruptions in the future.  CHA also continues to advocate for the federal government to incentivize manufacturers to expand production of materials and goods needed to produce sterile IV and PD solutions and containers.

Click here for more information on the shortage, including local and national IV solution shortage updates, CHA’s advocacy efforts to mitigate impacts of the supply chain disruption in Connecticut, and resources to inform conservation strategies.

Baxter International has moved to weekly updates on its progress to restore operations at its North Carolina site in the wake of Hurricane Helene.  The latest post published Thursday, November 7, 2024 indicated that Baxter expects to restart a second IV solutions manufacturing line in the coming week.  Prior to the September shutdown, these two lines produced approximately 85% of the site’s one-liter IV solutions, the most commonly used size by hospitals and clinics.  The earliest new batches would enter distribution channels is late November.  Additionally, Baxter anticipates irrigation and PD solutions will be the next manufacturing lines to restart by early December.