DATE: October 16, 2024—FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FROM: Allison Gergley, Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center
1000 Rush Drive, Salida, CO 81201 Email: allison.gergley@hrrmc.net
Tel.: 719-530-2217
Nationwide Intravenous (IV) Fluid shortage affecting HRRMC
SALIDA, Colo.—Heart of the Rockies Regional Medical Center (HRRMC) is currently experiencing a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids.
HRRMC’s main supplier of IV fluids - Baxter Pharmaceuticals - saw significant damage to their North Carolina manufacturing plant due to Hurricane Helene in late September. While Baxter and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have been working to restore the facility to full capacity. It is estimated that the facility will not be operational until the end of 2024. This means the duration of the IV fluid shortage and impact on HRRMC is unknown at this time.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has declared a nationwide shortage for a variety of essential IV and sterile fluids. These fluids are utilized across all health systems for anything from IV hydration, to drug preparations, to surgical procedures, to dialysis care.
In response to the shortage, the FDA has approved imports of IV fluids and products from manufacturing facilities outside of the U.S. It will still take some time for these imports to have a meaningful impact on the shortage.
HRRMC was notified of the shortage very soon after it was made public, and, as recommended by the FDA and American Society for Health-System Pharmacists (ASHP), HRRMC has been taking conservation measures with our current IV fluid supply. These include a variety of internal methods and protocols as well as rescheduling certain non-urgent and elective procedures that require a large volume of the effected fluids.
HRRMC has also formed a multi-disciplinary team that meets regularly to evaluate supply and allocations, and adjust conservation strategies as needed.
It is HRRMC’s goal to preserve our essential services and minimize the impact on patient care while working through this shortage. Please see the resources below from the FDA and Baxter Pharmaceuticals for more information.
Baxter Pharmaceuticals: https://www.baxter.com/baxter-newsroom/hurricane-helene-updates
