Health officials announce plans to close gap in intravenous fluid supply since NC supplier facility hit by Hurricane Helene

PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Health officials have announced plans to address a nationwide intravenous fluid shortage after a major supplier’s facilities in North Carolina were damaged by Hurricane Helene.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is allowing the Baxter medical supply company to import from its overseas facilities to supplement a sudden dearth of IV fluids.

Hurricane Helene damaged the company’s sole plant in North Carolina. Baxter supplies about 60% of the IV fluids in the United States.

Baxter officials said Thursday that the ability to import fluids should help them increase the amounts they are able to supply to hospitals from 50% of normal to 60% of normal. They say they hope to be back to 70% of capacity by the end of the month.

FDA Commissioner Robert Califf says the agency is also advising suppliers to submit any tests they have on the shelf-life of their products.

Dr. Jon Stallkamp, the chief medical officer at Main Line Health, says that is a positive step. He explained that the shelf-life for IVs may be longer in some cases than currently published limits. He says suppliers often have done studies on how much longer than the official shelf-life IV fluids can last.

While officials wait for a return to normal supply levels, Stallkamp says doctors are conserving IV use at their facilities and are advising patients to orally hydrate — drink water or Gatorade — before coming in for a procedure.