Hurricane Helene Causes IV Fluid Shortage After Major State Production Facility Shuts Down

After Hurricane Helene destroyed one of the largest IV fluid production plants in the United States, hospitals around the country are struggling to treat patients.

Helene devastated parts of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and parts of the Appalachian region when it made landfall on Sept. 26, leaving behind damaged hospitals, schools and manufacturing plants like the Baxter International manufacturing facility in North Cove, NC.

The plant, about an hour east of Asheville, is the largest producer of IV fluid and peritoneal dialysis in the US, according to the American Medical Association (AMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It was forced to close due to flooding, the company said in a statement, and on Oct. 11, the FDA added three types of IV solutions to its drug shortage database — all of which are produced by Baxter International.

Officials reported that the plant shutdown caused a major supply disruption, according to the AP. Some doctors have switched patients to drinking Gatorade or water instead of giving them an IV and hospitals are being forced to delay surgery.

“It’s not good for patients, but it’s about making the best of what you have,” Erin Fox, chief chemistry officer at University of Utah Health, told the AP.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, IV fluids are often used to treat patients who suffer from dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be caused by vomiting and diarrhea. heat, or serious injuries or burns. They are also used during surgery, as patients often cannot eat or drink water for a long time.

“If you turn off the IV water supply in the hospital, it’s like turning off the water supply in your house,” Dr. Chris DeRienzo of the American Hospital Association told FOX Weather. “It doesn’t take long for the energy level you need to respond to to go up a lot.”

Despite the problems caused by hospitals and doctors, recovery efforts are now underway. The Biden administration invoked wartime powers of the Defense Production Act to expedite the rebuilding of Baxter International in Oct. 15, CBS News reports, and AMA says the company has been importing goods from its five international facilities.

“Ensuring people have the medical supplies they need is a top priority for the administration. That’s why we’re working closely with Baxter to support the cleanup and renovation of the facility, including requesting Act of Defense Production to help production resume as soon as possible,” a Department of Health and Human Services official told CBS News.

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The AP reported that while Baxter has no set timeline for whether it will be able to return to its normal pre-hurricane production levels, workers are back on the job and the company said it wants to restart production by the end of year. .

Crews have finished deep cleaning the facility, power and water are back on and crews are working to test and repair the facility’s equipment.

Helene was a Category 4 hurricane when it made landfall near Perry, Fla., last month. Within hours, it brought destructive and “disastrous, life-threatening” storms. [and] record breaking” floods in many areas. The death toll has risen to 224 since Oct. 24.