Almost 90% of providers are experiencing an IV fluid shortage due to the temporary closure of Baxter's North Carolina plant, according to a survey from group purchasing organization Premier.
The survey conducted Monday and Tuesday found 88% of 257 providers surveyed said they were receiving less than half their requested IV fluid orders. The Baxter plant in Marion, North Carolina, which produces 60% of the IV solutions used daily, was shut down Sept. 29 due to Hurricane Helene and sustained damage.
Related: AHA calls on White House to help ease IV fluid shortage
Baxter said Wednesday the facility is beginning to resume shipments and should be fully functional by year's end.
In Premier's survey, 54% of providers said they had a 10 days' or less supply of IV fluids on hand, down from a typical 15 to 22 days' supply.
The shortages seemed to be evenly affecting providers, regardless of size or system affiliation, according to the survey.
More than 80% of respondents said they had not canceled procedures, although nearly 60% said they were considering it an option.
A little over half of respondents said they were "very concerned" the shortage of IV fluids may affect other medical supplies, including flush syringes, sterile water, IV bags and tubing as well as oral hydration solutions, which are being used by several providers with IV fluid shortages.
Premier said while the natural disaster was unavoidable, the shortage could've been averted.
"We learned this lesson during Hurricane Maria," said Soumi Saha, senior vice president of government affairs for Premier. "We learned this lesson during [COVID-19.]And yet, we somehow do not learn. We do not implement policies, laws or regulations that truly create supply chain resiliency. And the truth is, it's now or never."
