COLUMBIA, S.C. — Hospitals across the nation, including South Carolina, are facing an unexpected challenge: a shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids. This shortage has had significant impacts on patient care, forcing doctors and hospitals to find creative ways to conserve the resource.
“Our team here at MUSC, our doctors and our nurses, were committed to making sure that we maintained high-quality care for all the patients that we serve. And it’s a testament to this organization to be able to respond so rapidly in a crisis,” said Dr. Daniel Young, chief of anesthesia and perioperative medicine for the regional health network at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC).
Dr. Young pointed out that the shortage’s roots can be traced back to Hurricane Helene, which not only caused physical damage but also disrupted supply chains. One of MUSC’s main IV fluid suppliers, Baxter, faced significant setbacks at its primary production facility in North Carolina…