IV Fluid Shortage Intensifies, Federal Measures Extended

The nationwide IV fluid shortage has been exacerbated by Hurricane Helene, which damaged a Baxter manufacturing facility in North Carolina responsible for 60% of the U.S. supply. Hospitals across the country, including in Missouri, Michigan, Nebraska, and Arizona, are implementing conservation strategies and delaying elective surgeries to manage the shortage. The FDA has approved temporary imports from international Baxter facilities, but the shortage is expected to persist through the year. The Defense Production Act has been invoked to prioritize the rebuilding of the damaged plant, while hospitals are also considering alternative supply strategies, such as compounding IV fluids and sharing supplies within hospital systems. Despite these efforts, the shortage continues to pose significant challenges for patient care, particularly for those requiring dialysis solutions.