SEATTLE — Hospitals in Washington state are having to conserve IV fluid solution amid a supply chain disruption caused by Hurricane Helene.
Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) said it is following national guidance in conserving IV fluids after Hurricane Helene impacted a major manufacturer on the east coast. The Baxter facility in North Carolina supplies approximately 60%, or 1.5 million bags, of the IV solution used in hospitals every day across the country.
WSHA said at this time each hospital and health system is managing its own supplies and have moved to conservation strategies, which include delaying non-urgent procedures.
“Washington’s hospitals have worked together to face past challenges, and this issue is no different. We will work together to ensure life-saving care remains available,” WSHA President and CEO Cassie Sauer said. “Unfortunately, the current supply chain disruption means that some procedures that are not as time-sensitive may be delayed. Although delays are disruptive, hospitals are continuing to provide critical services. However, the longer procedures are delayed, the sicker patients can get. It is not an acceptable long-term solution.”
Forks Community Hospital on the Olympic Peninsula is one of the hospitals that had to suspend all elective, nonemergent procedures due to the disruption. The hospital said in a Facebook post Monday that it had to conserve supply for patients with an urgent medical need.
WSHA said it is in contact with federal officials and urging additional supplies be made available either through imports from other countries or allowing hospitals to make their own solutions.
“We are asking the federal government to act quickly to ensure adequate supply so that the effects on patient care do not get worse,” Sauer said.
WSHA said it is unknown what the full impact or how long the supply chain disruption will ultimately be.