Updates on IV Fluid Supplies After Helene Forces Closure of Baxter Manufacturing Plant

AHA Updates and Information to Keep Members Informed

• October 28 Special Bulletin:  Baxter Announces Expiration Dating Extensions for Certain Products Related to IV Solutions Disruption
• October 24 Special Bulletin:  Baxter Provides Updates on Efforts to Increase Access to and Supply of IV Solutions
• October 18 Special Bulletin:  HHS, Baxter Announce Additional Mitigation Efforts to Increase Access, Supply of IV Fluids
• October 17 Special Bulletin:  Hospitals Invited to Oct. 18 Call with HHS, Baxter Officials to Receive Update on IV Solution Supplies
• October 11 Special Bulletin:  FDA Issues Guidance for Compounding Certain Drug Products in Response to IV Solutions Supply Disruption
• October 10 Special Bulletin:  Administration, Baxter Officials Provide Updates on IV Solution Supplies
• October 9 Special Bulletin: Hospitals Invited to Oct. 10 Call with HHS, Baxter Officials to Receive Update on IV Solution Supplies
• October 9 Special Bulletin:  UPDATE: Baxter to Increase Allocations for IV Solution Supplies to Hospitals Effective Today, Oct. 9
• October 8 Special Bulletin:  Baxter to Increase Allocations for IV Solution Supplies to Hospitals Effective Oct. 9
• October 7 Special Bulletin:  AHA Letter to President Urges Administration to Take Immediate Action to Address IV Solution Supply Shortage as a Result of Helene
• October 7 Letter:  AHA to President Urging the Administration to Take Action to Address IV Solution Supply Shortage as a Result of Helene
• October 4 Special Bulletin:  Updates on Supply Chain Following Closure of Baxter Plant and Resources to Help with Conservation Efforts
• October 2 Special Bulletin:  Supply Chain Updates Following Temporary Closure of Baxter’s Plant in North Carolina Due to Hurricane Helene
• September 29 AHA Today: North Carolina under PHE following Hurricane Helene, IV solutions plant closed 

Resources for Conservation of Supplies

While each hospital and health system and their clinical teams should use their own judgment for implementing conservation strategies, the following are some resources that can be helpful as you manage the ongoing situation.

• AHA podcast: Planning for resiliency in the IV Fluid supply chain AHA Podcast with Cleveland Clinic on Conservation Strategies - On this podcast, Mark Taylor, M.D., surgical director for surgical operations at Cleveland Clinic, discusses the health system's ongoing IV fluid conservation strategies and the importance of constant and targeted communication during supply chain shortages.
• AHA podcast: The critical need for conservation plans in the face of supply shortages In this conversation, Michael Schiller, executive director of AHA's Association for Health Care Resource & Materials Management, and Michael Ganio, senior director of pharmacy practice and quality with the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, discuss the current situation with IV fluid supplies and the need to create a conservation plan for critical patient supplies that could be threatened by a disaster or other event.
• Baxter Web Resources for Product Management and Conservation Strategies
• National Home Infusion Association Guidance for Addressing Product Shortages during Disruptions in Manufacturing
• ASHP recommendations, which were updated Oct. 11, for managing fluid shortages and conserving supply. ASHP is the largest association of pharmacy professionals in the United States.