Louisiana Hospitals Struggle With IV Fluid Shortage: AMA Takes Action

💉What Has Caused the Shortage of IV Fluids?

💉What Are Hospitals Doing to Deal with the Shortage?

💉What Impact Is IV Shortage Having in Shreveport-Bossier?

SHREVEPORT, LA – There is a bit of a crisis in the health care industry in Louisiana and across the nation. Hospitals are facing a shortage of IV fluids. This comes at a time when the demand for this critical medical product is very high. We are moving into weeks when respiratory viruses typically spike. And people often schedule surgical procedures at the end of the year before new medical deductibles start on January 1.

But this shortage is causing some hospitals to delay procedures and ration the us of IV fluids.

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What Has Caused the Shortage of IV Fluids?

The problem is the result of Hurricane Helene which halted production of IV fluids at a Baxter International manufacturing facility in North Cove, North Carolina. That company is the largest provider of IV fluids in the nation. The American Medical Association says the North Carolina facility produces about 60% of the IV fluid used by U.S. hospitals.

Andrea Garcia, MPH, the AMA’s vice president of science, medicine and public health says “this closure caused massive supply disruptions. We know that hospitals and government agencies are now scrambling to cope with these shortages.”

What Are Hospitals Doing to Deal with the Shortage?

The AMA is keeping a close eye on the problem and has set up a website to help hospitals and doctors address and manage drug shortages.

The Centers for Disease Control also issued a Health Alert Advisory to inform healthcare providers about this problem. This alert says “the supply disruption may impact patient care and require adjustments to the clinical management of patients. Healthcare providers should immediately assess their supply and develop plans and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact on patient care.”

AMA's Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health, Andrea Garcia says “a survey finds that more than 86% of U.S. health care providers are experiencing shortages of IV fluids. And about 54% are reporting supplies of 10 days or less of IV fluids in their inventories.”

Garcia adds:

As a result of these shortages, we know that nearly 17% of those respondents have already opted to postpone elective surgeries and other procedures. And 58% reported are considering taking those measures. Now, this comes at a time where we're heading into respiratory virus season.

What Impact Is IV Shortage Having in Shreveport-Bossier?

KEEL News has learned that surgeries at several local hospitals have been delayed or postponed as a result of this IV fluid shortage.

Dr. Charles Fox, Chief Medical Officer, Ochsner LSU Health System tells KEEL News:

At Ochsner LSU Health, patients are always our first priority, and all of our decisions are grounded in ensuring we can provide safe, high-quality patient care. We have implemented necessary processes to manage our inventory of IV fluids and are communicating individually with patients in the event any elective procedure needs to be rescheduled. Our supply chain leaders continue to work closely  with manufacturers to secure additional sources of impacted supplies.

Dr. Fox adds: "Our thoughts are with the families, communities and businesses impacted by the hurricanes."