On October 9, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) reached out to healthcare leaders and stakeholders to address the temporary disruption in IV solutions and fluid supplies caused by the impact of Hurricane Helene on Baxter’s facility in Marion, North Carolina.

The Baxter facility provides a significant portion of IV solutions, irrigation fluids, and peritoneal solutions to the U.S. medical system. In response to IV solution and fluid supply disruptions, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra in the  October 9 letter to healthcare leaders and stakeholders says that HHS is coordinating a government-wide effort to collaborate with both public and private partners to stabilize the supply chain while Baxter works to restore full operational capacity at the affected facility. The HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) is actively engaged with Baxter and other federal partners to support infrastructure repairs and expedite the facility’s return to full operations.

As a result of these efforts, per HHS, Baxter plans to increase allocations to customers in the upcoming week. Baxter will directly communicate with its customers regarding these increases, and more details can be found on Baxter’s website under their Hurricane Helene Updates.

HHS urges all healthcare providers and systems, even those not experiencing supply disruptions, to take steps to conserve critical IV products. A tip sheet from the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), updated on October 9, provides more information. Additionally, HHS and its federal partners are continuing to engage with stakeholders to minimize the impact on patient care and facilitate product distribution by closely monitoring the situation to address any unforeseen shortages.

Hospitals and healthcare providers are encouraged to modify their usual practices to conserve supplies if necessary. They should also review key resources, including the Baxter Medical Information Letter for Healthcare Facilities and the ASHP guidelines on managing small and large-volume fluid shortages.

To help mitigate the constrained supply, HHS has linked to the FDA’s compounding drugs resource list, which can assist healthcare providers in addressing shortages.