Like hospitals around the country, Northwestern Medical Center (NMC) is navigating the potential shortage of IV solution supplies, a problem caused by the incapacitation of a Baxter facility in Asheville, NC during Hurricane Helene.

NMC quickly stood up its Incident Command structure to work on conservation measures and monitor fluid supplies. Thus far the hospital’s supplies have been adequate for all patient care, and conservation measures are helping ensure there is no future disruption in care.

Baxter International is a company that makes 60 percent of the IV fluid supply used in the US. These fluids are used to hydrate sick people, for dialysis patients and for surgeries, among other uses. When the plant in NC had to close following the hurricane, the company alerted hospitals that they would be shipping only 40 percent of what would typically be expected.

With conservation in place, NMC patients will likely see minimal change in care, with the use of oral hydration replacing IV hydration in some cases, for example.

NMC received a positive update from Baxter International on Tuesday, October 15, reporting that the company has regained access to the facility, and they were able to salvage some product that was in storage there. This has allowed Baxter to increase supply allocations to hospitals, which should allow NMC to remain in a strong position.