The supply chain for IV fluids was exposed as vulnerable after Hurricane Helene forced a shutdown of a manufacturing plant in North Carolina. The Minnesota Hospital Association told the Star Tribune that hospitals statewide were affected by an IV fluid shortage, because the Baxter plant manufactures about 60% of the domestic supply of sterile IV solutions. Hospital leaders are coordinating on conservation strategies. From the Star Tribune:
Some elective surgeries were canceled in the Twin Cities on Monday after hurricane damage caused a manufacturer of intravenous and sterile fluids to shut down a plant in North Carolina late last week… Supplies of IV fluids started drying up nationwide after Baxter closed its North Carolina manufacturing plant last week and started limiting resupply orders. The manufacturer reported Friday that stormwater from Hurricane Helene was “permeating the facility” and that a key bridge providing access to the plant was damaged.
