Advertisement All New Hampshire hospitals affected by nationwide IV fluid shortage, officials say
CONCORD, N.H. — The state and federal government are asking more questions about exactly how much IV fluid is available in the U.S. amid a nationwide shortage.
Concord Hospital, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital and Dartmouth Health have all reported having to make accommodations because of this shortage, like canceling or postponing some surgeries and procedures.
The shortage started when Hurricane Helene damaged the Baxter International Facility in North Carolina.
In a letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Thursday, Gov. Chris Sununu wrote that right now, in New Hampshire, the amount of IV fluid being delivered is low, and several hospitals are receiving late shipments.
The governor asked for more transparency in the process of getting the North Carolina facility back up and running.
Local health officials are also demanding answers, saying they are looking into manufactures abroad who could provide critical fluids like IV fluid.
"How much fluids are on hand or in stock nationally? And when is the actual reopening of the fluids that are most affected? When will those manufacturing lines be reopened?" Jonathan Ballard, chief medical officer for NH DHHS, said.
New Hampshire Hospital Association officials said it is fair to say all hospitals across the state are feeling the effects of this shortage and they said they will be for the foreseeable future.
"I would say this is a very critical situation that hospitals are dealing with and managing. a shortage, of a critical product," said Steve Ahnen, president of the New Hampshire Hospital Association.
In a statement, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen said, "As winter and flu season approaches, the need for IV fluids goes up and it’s critical that Granite State health care providers have what they need to provide the best treatment. Baxter needs to deliver much-needed IV fluid to the state as soon as possible, and we need to get to the bottom of this ongoing supply challenge so that patients can get the care they need."