Baxter, a medical equipment supplier that produces 60% of the intravenous solutions used in U.S. hospitals, said Thursday that it is beginning to slowly recover from shutdowns caused by last month’s hurricane that left medical facilities across the country facing shortages. Has been.
In recent weeks US hospitals have been forced to delay surgeries and even give patients Gatorade or water due to a shortage of intravenous solutions. Hurricane Helen caused flooding Which closed Baxter’s flagship factory in North Carolina.
The company said Thursday that its highest-throughput line has now restarted, but added that the new batch of IV solutions could be shipped at the end of November at the earliest because of “implemented measures to ensure quality and safety.” “Regulatory requirements” need to be followed. product.”
“We do not yet have a timeline for when we expect to fully restore North Cove production to pre-hurricane levels,” the company said in a statement.
Before the flooding forced Baxter to suspend operations at the North Cove, NC facility, the major manufacturing line that has now restarted accounts for about 25% of the site’s total production and one used by hospitals. Liters account for approximately 50% of IV solution production. Clinic.
Flooding caused by Helen washed away nearby bridges and water entered the factory, forcing it to be closed. Baxter says there has been no structural damage to the site.
The company recently restored power and water to the factory. Crews also recently completed deep cleaning of production rooms and are testing and repairing equipment.
Health systems began conserving fluids soon after the plant closed.
Some altered patients may drink fluids like Gatorade or water instead of being given an IV.
Hospitals have also begun postponing planned procedures that can wait, such as some orthopedic surgeries or heart procedures, said Dr. Chris DeRienzo, chief physician executive of the American Hospital Association.
Baxter has limited the supply of fluids it sends to distributors and health systems.
The impact on patients will depend partly on how dependent the hospital or health system is on Baxter, said Nancy Foster, vice president of the hospital association.
In response to the shortage, the Food and Drug Administration has approved temporarily importing the fluid from Baxter plants in several countries.
The company has already begun to ease some of the limitations placed on supply.
Baxter Rival B. Braun Medical has increased production at its Daytona Beach, Florida site, which escaped damage from another hurricane, and at a location in California.
The FDA has also issued new temporary guidelines to make it easier for compounding pharmacies to produce certain IV drugs that are in short supply.
Supply experts are optimistic that the situation will improve, but they cannot say whether these steps will fill the gap created by plant closures.
Erin Fox, associate chief pharmacy officer at University of Utah Health, said her health system is still grappling with uncertainty because the amount Baxter has allocated to them is not always available through their distributor.
with post wire