IV Fluid Production in US Nears Pre-Hurricane Levels

The severe hurricane activity that the southeastern US experienced in September and October 2024 took a toll on the availability and distribution of essential prepackaged IV fluids, which led to a nationwide shortage. Baxter International’s North Cove, North Carolina, manufacturing site is a major manufacturer and supplier of fluid and was significantly impacted.

The situation, including updates and recommendations from the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists and the US Food and Drug Administration, was detailed in the ACS Brief.

Since then, Baxter increased allocations of IV fluids to US hospitals owing to progress in North Cove site remediation efforts and the ability to restart manufacturing lines. As of the end of December, the North Cove site had restarted 9 of 10 manufacturing lines, representing approximately 85% of total pre-hurricane capacity.

Notably for surgeons, all the site’s 3L irrigation solution and peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution manufacturing lines are now open.

Although a shortage is expected to continue throughout January, it has attenuated, and the overall supply and distribution situation has markedly improved. In the interim, conservation efforts for IV and PD solutions across the healthcare system remain essential to supplement allocation levels and help preserve supply.