(Oct. 11, 2024) – Hurricane Helene and the resulting damage to the Baxter IV solutions plant and infrastructure in the surrounding area of North Cove, North Carolina, is significantly disrupting the supply chain for IV solutions, peritoneal dialysate and IV bags. Hospitals and End Stage Renal Dialysis facilities have been placed on 40 percent allocation of these products, with the hope that it may move to 60 percent allocation this week. However, given the scope of the impact on the area and the potential impact Hurricane Milton may have on the B. Braun plant in Florida, it is unlikely future allocations will be back to normal shortly.
The Kansas Hospital Association has been involved in numerous discussions with our partners at the American Hospital Association, Region VII Disaster Health Response Ecosystem, the Food and Drug Administration, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response. KHA shared situational awareness updates with our members on Oct. 3 and 7. As the situation evolves quickly and new conservation strategies are developed to ensure IV products are available to those most in need, the RDHRE, in collaboration with state hospital associations, Health Care Coalition leaders, pharmacists and clinicians, created a website for information. Hospitals can find the latest information from Baxter, our federal partners, and IV solution tracking and conservation tools at this site in the resources and recommendation sections.
--Ron Marshall