In response to hurricane damage to a critical supplier of IV fluids, the federal government has increased efforts and partnered with state and local governments to address the supply chain disruptions.

After recent hurricanes, the federal government is ensuring hospitals and healthcare providers maintain access to essential supplies like IV fluids. The storms damaged the Baxter International facility in North Carolina and significantly affected its supply of IV fluids. The federal government is working to restore production and protect supplies. The Maryland Department of Health (MDH) has been assessing supplies at the state and local level and has been briefing local governments.

After damage to Baxter’s North Cove facility, federal officials quickly began recovery efforts, assessing and regaining site access. By October 6, truckloads of IV fluid were successfully moved out of the facility, protecting the inventory. In Florida, 60 truckloads of IV fluids were relocated from a facility threatened by Hurricane Milton for safety. As a result, hospitals now receive 50% more IV fluid than last week, with allocations expected to keep rising.

Other key federal actions include:

• FDA and Regulatory Actions: The FDA allowed temporary imports of IV products, expanded guidelines for compounding solutions, and is expediting reviews to increase supply. The administration is also airlifting supplies and considering extending product shelf life.
• Preventing Price Gouging: Federal agencies issued warnings to prevent price gouging on medical supplies and urged citizens to report violations.
• Defense Production Act: The administration invoked the DPA to help Baxter rebuild, targeting 90-100% production by year’s end.

As previously covered by MACo, the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) asked county leaders to share the importance of conservation measures with local health departments, hospitals, and other providers. The department shared a clinician letter urging conservation measures such as:

• Substituting oral rehydration for IV fluids where applicable.
• Using hep-lock IVs (small devices to maintain vein access) instead of hanging IV bags.
• Administering medicine through IV pushes rather than leaving IV bags continuously attached.

The combined efforts of federal, state, and local agencies and providers are helping to stabilize the supply of IV fluids and other essential medical products.

Read MACo’s coverage of the IV solution shortage in Maryland.

Read the full press release from the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

Stay tuned to Conduit Street for more information.