Hornell hospital suspends some elective surgeries due to IV shortage

HORNELL, N.Y. ( WETM ) — St. James Hospital in Hornell is suspending some of its surgeries due to the nationwide IV shortage caused by Hurricane Helene.

St. James Hospital announced that it and all other UR Medicine affiliates are pausing some elctive and semi-elective surgical procdures that require sterile IV fluids starting on Wednesday, Oct. 16. The hospital will review each case daily to determine urgency and is prioratizing emergencies.

Some patients who have upcomming surgeries scheduled at St. James will be impacted by this pause. Parients with upcomming surgeries and procedurres will be notified directly if their appointments have changed.

According to St. James, the Baxter International Plant in Marion, North Carolina, was severly damaged during Hurricane Helene at the end of September. The American Hospital Association states that the plant produces 60% of the country’s supply of IV solutions, and the plant’s temporary closure after the hurricane is impacting the supply chain.

St. James says that the federal government approved using IV fluids from international suppliers, and UR Medicine is working to increase its affiliates’ supplies. The hospital also says pausing some procedures will help the medical group extend its reserves.

St. James Hospital will go back to its full surgery schedules when IV resources are less scarce.

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