Hospitals alter patient hydration management due to IV bag shortage

Hospitals are using various methods to conserve IV bags without compromising patient care to contend with a nationwide shortage caused by Hurricane Helene destroying a facility manufacturing the majority of IV bags. Inova Health System in Falls Church, Va., gives some medications intravenously but without a dedicated IV bag. However, this approach requires nurses to monitor patients more carefully because patients receive medicine more quickly. Inova also directs some patients to drink water or juice instead of receiving a second bag. Pipeline Health in the Los Angeles area requires its staff to use an entire IV bag before starting another. Some patients drink water or Gatorade instead of hydrating through an IV. Such methods could continue after the shortage abates to reduce bag waste. (KFF article, 11/19/24)