ER Patients Less Likely to Receive IV Fluids Following Hurricane Helene Disruptions

Patients visiting emergency departments for dehydration or nausea are now half as likely to receive IV fluids compared to before Hurricane Helene, as severe supply shortages persist, according to Truveta Research. When the storm struck western North Carolina, it halted production at Baxter’s North Cove facility, which supplies about 60% of the U.S. IV fluids. The CDC has warned that this shortage may impact patient care, recommending alternatives like oral hydration when possible.

truveta research has given a report about after effects of hurricane Helene in health issues, patients visiting emergency departments for dehydration or nausea are now half as likely to receive iv fluids compared to before hurricane Helene, as severe supply shortages persist.

Baxter’s north cove facility was disrupted and manufacturing was halted there when the storm hit western North Carolina, this manufacturing company was supplying about 60% of the U.S iv fluids. The CDC has warned that this shortage may effect patient care and patients will have to suffer more. However, they will be able to get alternates like oral hydration whenever it is possible.

A Truveta analysis of nearly 350,000 emergency department visits from January 1 to October 13 revealed a significant decline in IV administration rates for dehydration cases, dropping from 6.6% to 2.5% within ten days after Hurricane Helene. Similarly, IV rates for patients with nausea or vomiting fell from 5.5% to 2%. To conserve IV supplies, healthcare providers are increasingly using oral alternatives like Gatorade and Pedialyte when possible.

Dr. Chris DeRienzo from the American Hospital Association noted that these conservation strategies are vital for ensuring that critical supplies remain available for patients who have no other options. Efforts to restore the IV fluid supply chain are ongoing, with the FDA extending expiration dates on pre-storm products, permitting temporary imports, and other manufacturers boosting production. While Baxter anticipates resuming limited production at its North Cove facility soon, hospitals continue to depend on real-time rationing due to persistent shortages.