San Joaquin General Hospital is closely monitoring the possibility of an IV fluid shortage after Hurricane Helene caused severe flooding in North Carolina, forcing the shutdown of one of the nation’s largest IV fluid suppliers, Baxter International. While California hospitals are not facing an immediate shortage, the potential disruption is a concern for medical facilities across the state.
Paul Canepa, vice chair of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, shared insights on how the hospital is preparing for a possible shortage. “Right now there’s not a shortage, so we’re hopeful that it won’t get to that point,” Canepa told KCRA 3. He emphasized that the situation underscores the vulnerabilities in the national supply chain, especially for critical medical supplies.
If supplies were to run critically low, Canepa explained that hospitals would need to prioritize patients based on the severity of their conditions. "We’re going to need to conserve supplies. If people are in more critical conditions, they would obviously go to the top of the list," he said.
San Joaquin General has a partnership with Dignity Common Spirit, which may provide additional purchasing power in the face of supply shortages. However, Canepa stressed the importance of balancing the local hospital’s needs with aiding those impacted by the hurricane. “Obviously there’s a shortage back there; they are going to need some of our supplies. We need to do our share to help a humanitarian crisis,” he added.
The hospital is continuing to monitor the situation closely and is prepared to adjust its protocols to manage potential shortages while ensuring patients get the care they need.
Original source: KCRA3