WEEKLY UPDATE: 10/10/24
Connecticut hospitals and health systems are implementing action plans to manage and conserve critical intravenous (IV) fluids after flood damage from Hurricane Helene forced a Baxter International facility to shut down, triggering a nationwide shortage.
Baxter’s major manufacturing plant located in North Carolina provides approximately 60% — or 1.5 million bags — of the IV solutions used every day in the U.S., making the facility the top supplier of hospital IV fluids and peritoneal dialysis (PD) solutions in the country. The company announced Thursday, October 3 that it is reducing shipments to customers to help “limit stockpiling and increase the likelihood of equitable access to available products.” Effective Wednesday, October 9, Baxter increased hospitals’ shipments for some IV solution supplies from about 40% to 60% of what they normally receive. The supplier expects to increase the allocation to 70% by the end of the month and 90-100% by the end of the year. In addition, due to the vulnerable patient population they serve, all allocations for designated children’s hospitals were increased to 100%. Baxter says it “continues to scale production across its global locations and is working closely with FDA on temporary importation of products to increase available inventory.”
Connecticut hospitals and health systems are taking steps to maximize supplies and minimize disruption to patient care by conserving product and encouraging all healthcare entities that use IV fluids to do the same. The Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA) continues to monitor impacts on operations throughout the state and is working with other providers and the Connecticut Departments of Public Health and Consumer Protection for a coordinated response. Additionally, Baxter and the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP) have each issued recommendations for managing the shortages and exploring alternative sources.
The American Hospital Association (AHA) is coordinating with officials from Baxter, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), and other federal agencies to keep hospitals and health systems informed. AHA on Monday, October 7 sent a letter to the Biden Administration expressing concern about the situation and urging the FDA to declare an official shortage of IV solutions, permit hospitals and health systems to prepare sterile IV solutions in their own pharmacies, and extend the shelf-life of all sterile IV and PD solutions that are beyond or nearing their expiration date. AHA also requested HHS declare a national Public Health Emergency, allowing for waivers of Medicare and Medicaid rules and regulations that could hinder accessibility.
In a letter to healthcare leaders and stakeholders, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra said the department is coordinating a government-wide response to boost supplies.
Baxter is publishing regular updates here.
AHA is communicating updates here.
