Hospitals Postpone Elective Surgeries Amid IV Fluid Shortage Fueled by Hurricane Disruptions

A shortage of IV fluids is forcing hospitals across the US to postpone elective surgeries, as the country grapples with supply chain disruptions following hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The shortage stems from the closure of two major IV fluid manufacturers, Baxter International and B. Braun Medical, due to hurricane-related damage and anticipated storms.

Baxter International, which produces around 60% of the IV fluid used in US hospitals, temporarily shut down its North Carolina facility following catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Helene. This has severely reduced shipments of IV fluid products to healthcare providers nationwide. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has allowed the import of IV fluids from Baxter’s overseas facilities to help alleviate the shortage, but the company says it may not return to full productivity until the end of 2024.

Adding to the strain, B. Braun Medical, the nation’s second-largest IV fluid producer, closed its facilities in Daytona Beach, Florida, ahead of Hurricane Milton. Though operations are expected to resume soon, hospitals are facing immediate pressure to conserve IV fluids, crucial for surgeries and life-saving treatments.

Several hospitals, including UVA Health in Virginia and Hennepin Healthcare in Minnesota, have begun postponing elective procedures to safeguard their supplies. Elective surgeries, such as non-urgent tumor removals and heart ablations, are being rescheduled until supplies stabilize.

The Minnesota Hospital Association has been holding daily calls with healthcare providers across the state to address concerns, and hospitals are exploring measures like sourcing alternative suppliers and reducing waste. Some facilities have also reported the emergence of a “gray market” for IV fluid bags, though hospitals are refraining from purchasing from such sources.

In response to the crisis, the American Hospital Association has called on President Joe Biden to declare a nationwide emergency to ease regulatory restrictions and expedite IV fluid production. Federal agencies, including the FDA and the Department of Health and Human Services, are working with manufacturers to address the shortage and restore supply chains as quickly as possible.

As Hurricane Milton looms, the shortage of IV fluids—essential for hydration, blood pressure regulation, and delivering medications—threatens to disrupt patient care further. Hospitals remain on high alert, closely monitoring their inventories and adjusting their procedures to ensure they can provide critical care for those in need.

With input from CNBC, the Hill, and the New York Times.