AHA Advocates for Hospitals During IV Bag Shortage

The American Hospital Association is advocating for hospitals during the IV bag shortage resulting from the closure of a manufacturing plant damaged by Hurricane Helene. In response to an AHA letter to President Joseph Biden, the Food and Drug Administration said it would work with IV solutions producer Baxter to identify potential products already in its system and alternative manufacturing sites, among other steps. The North Carolina-based Baxter facility damaged in the hurricane manufactured roughly 60% ─ or 1.5 million bags ─ of the IV solutions used in the U.S. Baxter increased the U.S. allocation levels of its highest demand IV fluids for direct customers from 40% to 60% and for distributors from 10% to 60% on Oct. 9. The AHA has an up-to-date webpage on the shortage.