Ohio Department of Health Director Bruce Vanderhoff is coordinating a statewide effort to monitor levels of intravenous (IV) solution—used to replenish fluids and nutrients in the body—after Hurricane Helene disrupted the national IV solution supply chain.

Baxter International manufacturing plant in North Carolina which supplies IV solutions was severely impacted by the flooding in late Septermber, leading to shortages.

While Baxter International is increasing production at its other facilities, on October 1, the Ohio Department of Health was notified of the potential for IV fluid shortages in Ohio and across the country.

The Ohio Department of Health stated it is coordinating closely with hospital zone leads, regional healthcare coordinators, the Ohio Hospital Association, and the Ohio Pharmacy Services Center to ensure a statewide approach to information sharing, data collection, and strategy development in case of a shortage.

Since October 4, it has been required that all Ohio hospitals report their IV fluid data daily to the state.

Vanderhoff said that the ODH is encouraged by Baxter’s recent announcement of significant increases in IV solution allocations across the country.

In addition, the Ohio Board of Pharmacy issued guidance to hospital pharmacies that it will allow the sale and shipment of IV and peritoneal dialysis solutions to out-of-state facilities. 

'The disruption in the IV solutions supply chain has caused very real challenges in our state and across the nation. In Ohio, we are fortunate to have developed strong partnerships with our hospitals and other healthcare facilities that we have been able to leverage to respond swiftly and appropriately. While we are hopeful for additional supply to soon provide relief, as a collective statewide healthcare ecosystem, we will continue to closely monitor the situation amid the ongoing shortage. At the same time, we are cognizant of the damage done by Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, and we mourn the loss of life and destruction being experienced by people living in the impacted areas.'