(Bloomberg) -- More than 86% of US health-care providers surveyed in a recent poll say they’re experiencing shortages of IV fluids after a key manufacturing facility was shut down due to damage from Hurricane Helene.
Just over half of the health systems that responded to a survey from Premier Inc. said they have fewer than 11 days of IV fluids on hand, down from the typical supply of 15 to 22 days. Premier, which helps hospitals purchase medical products, surveyed 257 providers earlier this week. The company says the survey represents about 10% of the US hospital system.
Baxter International Inc.’s plant in North Carolina supplies about 60% of IV solutions for US hospitals, which are used in many procedures, and also produces fluids for at-home dialysis.
Earlier Wednesday, Baxter said it expects to restart manufacturing at the plant “in phases” so hospitals can resume ordering normal amounts of certain products by the end of 2024.
Premier’s survey showed that some health centers are starting to cancel procedures due to the shortage.
Other drugmakers that manufacture similar products have been increasing output, including B Braun SE and ICU Medical Inc. The Department of Health and Human Services has been in communication with Baxter and other manufacturers to address gaps in supplies.
The US Food and Drug Administration is allowing temporary importation of IV bags along with dialysis fluids, a common response to supply shortages.
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