IHA Shares Latest Developments on IV Fluid Supply Chain
IHA continues to monitor the ongoing IV fluid supply chain issues resulting from the closure of a Baxter manufacturing plan in North Carolina due to damage from Hurricane Helene. The plant manufactures 60% of the country’s supply of IV solutions.
Recent updates and resources:
In an Oct. 7 letter to President Biden, AHA reports member hospitals are experiencing “substantial shortages of these lifesaving and life-supporting products” and offers immediate actions the Administration can take to increase the supply of IV solutions.
The American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) published suggestions for management and conservation of small- and large-volume fluid shortages.
ServiShare partner Health Enterprises (HE), a group purchasing organization, provided a list of products made at Baxter’s North Carolina plant. HE is leveraging its national network to source other products that may help with supply options for Iowa hospitals. IHA will stay in close contact with HE and share additional information as it becomes available.
At the request of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), IHA will distribute a survey today to hospitals that provide intraperitoneal dialysis services. HHS is interested in understanding hospitals’ primary supplier, inventory levels, turnover rate, and average daily or weekly usage of dialysis fluid supplies.
Baxter published a web page to provide updates related to the closure of its North Carolina plant.
IHA will participate in a virtual meeting with Region 7 this afternoon to discuss the developing situation.
IHA will continue to provide updates as new information is available.