There’s an IV fluid shortage due to Hurricane Helene. Here’s how it’s impacting Portland hospitals

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Officials at Portland area hospitals say they’re seeing impacts from Hurricane Helene after one pharmacological supplier’s manufacturing facility in North Carolina was impacted by the storm.

Officials at Providence told KOIN 6 News that Baxter, which provides the hospital system with about 130 products, including intravenous and peritoneal dialysis solutions, had to close production at one of its facilities in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene

“Providence Oregon hospitals and facilities are employing various strategies to ensure minimal disruption to patient care, including conserving current supply and using alternative fluids and solutions as appropriate,” a Providence spokesperson said. “Some of our actions to make sure we address all critical and urgent patient care needs will necessitate the rescheduling of some procedures and surgeries. All steps taken to manage this shortage are in alignment with the highest quality and safest care.”

Providence officials stressed that anyone impacted will be notified directly by Providence and that all other patients should keep scheduled appointments.

A Oregon Health and Science University, Oregon’s largest hospital, officials acknowledged “IV fluids are in short supply across the country after weather impacted a major supplier to many organizations.”

In order to keep up with need, OHSU officials say Oregon’s largest hospital has implemented steps “to conserve and efficiently use our on-hand IV fluids and following standard best practices for conservation,” including drinking water over IV fluid use when possible and evaluating each patient for discontinuation of IV fluids if they’re no longer needed.

OHSU also said to KOIN 6 News they are not rescheduling any services at this time.

Legacy Health Systems says they’re aware of the IV fluid shortages after Hurricane Helene.

“We keep a backup of supplies for situations such as these and we are working with our front-line care teams to monitor inventory in real-time. Our goal is to minimize the impact of any supply shortages while ensuring continuity of high-quality patient care,” a Legacy Health spokesperson said to KOIN 6 News in an email.

In a statement to KOIN 6 News, Lisa Goodman, the vice president of communications for the Hospital Association of Oregon, said: “So far, we’re hearing that Oregon hospitals are taking proactive measures to conserve their supply of IV fluids to minimize the impacts to Oregon patients. We’re grateful for the partnership with the Oregon Health Authority and governor’s office, and our shared commitment to best support Oregon hospitals so they can continue to meet community need.”

Flood waters from Hurricane Helene did significant damage in Western North Carolina, where Baxter’s North Cove manufacturing facility is.

“Supporting our employees in the impacted communities, bringing the North Cove facility back online and helping to ensure ongoing supply to patients are our top priorities,” Baxter officials said in a statement.

Baxter said as they continue to deep clean the impacted facility, they’re also activating its global manufacturing network to continue business in the U.S.

“FDA announced Oct. 9 that it has authorized temporary importation for five Baxter manufacturing facilities in Canada, China (two sites), Ireland and the UK. Temporary importation authorization across these sites includes 19 IV solution and dialysis product codes,” according to Baxter officials’ statement.

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