Hurricane Helene's catastrophic damage and flooding in the southeastern states could impact the country's medical supply chain.
Hospitals across the country are preparing for a possible shortage of essential intravenous fluids after the catastrophic storm overwhelmed a vital plant in North Carolina.
The plant is Baxter International's manufacturing facility in North Cove in Marion, approximately 35 miles northeast of Asheville. Helene brought unprecedented amounts of rain to the western part of the state, killing dozens of people and destroying countless communities, homes and other structures, including the factory.
According to the American Hospital Association, the North Cove plant produces 60 percent of the nation's supply of IV solutions, typically producing 1.5 million bags per day. The dozens of sterile solutions Baxter makes at the facility are used for everything from intravenous rehydration and drug administration to peritoneal dialysis for the treatment of kidney failure.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with everyone affected by Hurricane Helene,” Baxter CEO José Almeida said in a statement on September 29. “The safety of our employees, their families and the communities in which we operate remains our utmost concern, and we are committed to helping ensure the reliable supply of products to patients. Recovery efforts are already underway, and we will spare no resources – human or financial – to resume production and ensure patients and healthcare providers get the products they need.
Critical offer
On October 2, Mass General Brigham, Massachusetts' largest hospital and healthcare system, warned employees via email of a “severe and immediate shortage of IV fluids,” according to the Boston Globe.
