Hospitals brace for COVID, flu season while managing IV fluid shortage

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — With the holiday season here, hospitals are preparing for an increase in sickness. However, an ongoing IV fluid shortage is not making it any easier.

Many hospitals have had to conserve the fluids while relying more on other forms of hydration for patients such as energy sports drinks, water and Pedialyte.

The national shortage is a result of Hurricane Helene flooding Baxter, a health care company located in North Carolina. Damage from the storm resulted in the manufacturing of IV fluid coming to a halt.

Once the shortage hit, ECMC began prioritizing IV fluids for the emergency department, surgery patients and critical care patients, an approach that may continue.

“They may not be getting their IVs for as long as they’re used to and that may be something that’s more of a trend that you may see ongoing,” said Charlene Ludlow, senior vice president of nursing at ECMC.

Last week, Baxter released its first batch of IV solutions since Helene hit. Two manufacturing lines are up and running. As efforts continue to get the plant back to normal, Baxter received FDA approval to airlift their product into the U.S. from international facilities.

It is unknown when Baxter will get back up to pre-hurricane operations. Right now, COVID and flu cases remain low, but doctors recommend people get their vaccines.

“People are not considered to be up-to-date with the Covid vaccination unless they got the latest dose that came out in 2024 and that’s been doing pretty good because we’re not seeing large numbers of people with Covid being admitted to the hospital,” Ludlow said.

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