IV fluid shortage reaches Louisiana hospitals

NEW ORLEANS ( WGNO ) — When Hurricane Helene tore through North Carolina, one building in its path was a Baxter International plant, which produces much of the country’s supply of intravenous fluids, a staple in medical procedures.

“Some people on IV fluid might be a combination of some of your dextrose, some carbohydrates as well as those electrolytes, your potassium, your sodium, things like that,” said University Medical Center Outpatient Oncology Center registered dietitian Devin Brittain.

Now, many hospitals across the country are facing shortages of these fluids. Some are even being forced to reschedule surgeries.

LCMC Health in New Orleans has released a statement saying, “We have implemented proactive measures to ensure continued care and to minimize any impact on our operations. Our supply chain team is working diligently to identify alternative sourcing strategies. Additionally, we have taken steps to conserve our current supply.”

Some hospitals are giving patients water or Gatorade instead of starting an IV.

In some cases, patients are getting medicines like antibiotics in an injection instead of an IV.

Local medical teams say there are always alternatives they can use without hurting patient care.

“There are systems in place that will allow us to make sure patients are getting what they need. It will just be different from the typical formula that you get from the typical IV fluids. It might be a little variation. That doesn’t mean it’s not going to be safe,” Brittain said.

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