JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A national shortage of IV fluid, triggered by hurricane damage to a major supplier, has hit close to home in Jacksonville. Baptist Health, one of the city’s largest hospital systems, was prepared to postpone certain elective surgeries due to the shortage.
However, a fresh shipment of IV fluid received on Thursday has allowed all scheduled procedures to continue without delay.
RELATED: Florida medical providers navigate national shortage of IV fluids, dialysis solution ahead of Hurricane Milton
According to an internal memo obtained by News4JAX, Baptist Health had been considering postponing surgeries that required “irrigation fluid and Plasma-Lyte 1L bags.” Thankfully, the recent delivery of IV fluids means that these procedures can proceed as planned.
Baptist released a statement:
Because of a shipment we received this morning, we are able to continue with procedures as scheduled for next week. Baptist Health is closely monitoring and responding to the nationwide shortage of IV fluids, which has resulted in unpredictable and incomplete deliveries of ordered supplies. We are fully prepared to handle resource constraints and remain focused on maintaining high-quality and safe patient care as we navigate this situation. Until the health of the supply chain can be restored, we are taking standard measures to conserve our current supply of fluids. We appreciate our patients’ understanding as we navigate this national shortage.
Baptist Health
Baptist Health noted that they are conserving their current supply until the IV fluid supply chain stabilizes.
Still, the internal memo obtained by News4JAX, highlights how critical the situation has become for hospitals across the country as they face dwindling supplies of this essential resource.
IV fluids are a vital part of clinical care, especially in emergency departments.
Euodias Draper, a medical technician, explained how this shortage extends beyond surgical cases.
“Everyone who walks into the emergency department gets an IV, so having a shortage affects everyone, not just surgical patients,” Draper said. “It is a big problem.”
Mary Mayhew, CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, explained that the unpredictability of the IV fluid supply chain remains a challenge for hospitals across the state.
She noted that hospitals are sharing supplies, and Baxter International, one of the major manufacturers of IV fluid, has increased its production allotment. However, how long this limited supply will last remains uncertain.
“The concern is the duration of this shortage,” Mayhew said. “If hospitals continue receiving less than 60% of their typical orders and cannot find other suppliers, more difficult decisions will have to be made regarding surgery scheduling.”
While Baptist Health received a much-needed delivery of IV fluids, the situation remains without a solid solution. Hospitals, including Baptist Health, are working to conserve their current supplies while waiting for more consistent deliveries.
News4JAX also reached out to UF Health and Ascension St. Vincent’s regarding their status during the shortage. UF Health confirmed that no elective surgeries have been postponed, and we are still awaiting a response from St. Vincent’s.
To address the national shortage, Baxter International has activated seven of its plants worldwide to help boost IV fluid inventories in the U.S. Still, the strain on the healthcare system underscores how critical and fragile the medical supply chain is.