FLORIDA – Florida medical providers are navigating a national shortage of IV fluids and dialysis solution after a major manufacturer suffered damage during Hurricane Helene.
The Baxter International Factory outside of Asheville, North Carolina was damaged by Helene’s floodwaters.
The company produces 60% of the nation’s supply of IV fluid like sterile water and saline, which is used daily in hospitals, surgery centers, nursing homes and dialysis centers.
Mary Mayhew is the president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, which advocates on behalf of hospitals in the state.
She said Florida hospitals are joining others in trying to preserve every drop of IV fluid.
“The challenge will be the duration of this situation because this is national, all hospitals across the country are dealing with this and other healthcare providers, this has been escalated to the federal government, the Food and Drug Administration that oversees these manufacturers, and to the White House,” Mayhew said.
Mayhew said the FHA and the American Hospital Association have submitted requests to the FDA asking to:
- to extend the shelf life of IV fluids currently in medical facilities
- (they want the FDA to) Grant flexibility to share IV fluid within the systems
- (and they want the federal government) to declare the shortage a national emergency
She said Florida’s hospitals are very concerned about the impact Hurricane Milton could have on the limited supply.
“What if the next supply you’ve already been receiving just 40% what if the next supply shipment can’t make it in now because of Hurricane Milton,” Mayhew said.
Mayhew said that more diversification is needed and our nation shouldn’t be dependent on one company, and have more suppliers around the country.
“The demand for health care services because of injuries sustained from the storm, that’s just going to place even more pressure on our supplies and ability to respond to those healthcare needs,” Mayhew said.
The Florida Hospital Association has also sent out surveys to both large and small medical providers to get an exact count of how much IV fluid they have on hand.