GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Health care providers are grappling with a shortage of IV fluids as the nation’s largest supplier continues to recover from Hurricane Helene.
As Hurricane Helene swept through western North Carolina in late September, flooding temporarily closed Baxter International’s North Cove plant. According to the American Hospital Association , the plant manufactures 60% of IV fluids for hospitals nationwide.
“That doesn’t mean they make 60% for every hospital. Some hospitals are not customers of Baxter, so this had minimal impact on them. Other customers use much more than 60%,” said Laura Appel, an executive vice president of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
Helene damaged a factory that makes IV fluids
The pause in production has led to a shortage of resources…