Some ASCs are facing obstacles in securing IV fluids after flooding produced by Hurricane Helene damaged a Baxter International plant in Marion, N.C., that makes 60% of the nation's IV fluid products.
The disruption occurred in September, and ASC leaders are working to strengthen their supply strategies to prevent delays in procedures.
"Unfortunately we are all facing shortages. It is anticipated that this will continue through the end of the year," Ken Schaff, regional ASC administrator at HCA Surgery Ventures, told Becker's. "We are just hopeful things turn around sooner, as the last quarter is always our shipping season. As most patients have met deductibles, the last quarter of the year tends to be our busiest time; especially for orthopedic sports medicine cases that use lots of irrigation."
Baxter indicated that it expects supply levels to recover to 90% to 100% by the end of the year, though nationwide disruptions are likely to persist until then, according to an Oct. 9 company news release.
Mr. Schaff and his team are focusing on conserving supplies as much as possible. His strategy includes actively controlling fluids in a secured location, taking daily inventories, reducing IV bag usage, using saline locks when feasible and employing split tubing in orthopedic arthroscopy cases.
Other ASCs are adopting similar approaches.
Although not facing a severe shortage, the issue has affected the Orthopaedic Surgery Center in Youngstown, Ohio, by limiting its ability to maintain usual inventory levels for surgical procedures and patient care, Taylor Cera, chief operating officer, told Becker's.
Mr. Cera is implementing several strategies to anticipate potential disruptions, including diversifying vendor bases, prioritizing IV fluid use for critical procedures, using alternatives like oral hydration and medications, closely monitoring usage to ensure adequate stock levels and coordinating with clinical teams to ensure awareness
Post Falls, Idaho-based Pleasant View Surgery Center is also emphasizing communication amid shortages, administrator Molly Gallant told Becker's.
"We are collaborating closely with our anesthesia providers to use IV fluids more conservatively while ensuring our patients maintain a stable, euvolemic condition," she told Becker's.
For shorter procedures and those utilizing total intravenous anesthesia anesthesia, her team is using saline locks to conserve fluids for more complex surgeries, such as total joint replacements. Additionally, her materials manager is "actively working alongside surgeons and circulators in the OR to ensure that irrigation fluids are used judiciously."
Many ASCs that haven't been directly affected by the shortage are taking proactive measures in case of delays.
Patrick Rehm, administrator of Georgetown (Texas) Surgery Center, told Becker's his team is "securing accounts with multiple IV solution vendors" and working with anesthesia to use saline syringes with hep locks for smaller gastrointestinal, ophthalmology and pain cases.
Meanwhile, Sarah Scrimpsher, RN, clinical director at Proffer Surgical Center in Amarillo, Texas, said they haven't experienced issues yet, but she is closely monitoring allocations and maintaining communication with her Baxter representative.
"We've also discussed the possibility of using different sized IV fluid bags, depending on what is available. We do a range of local (no sedation) TIVA, and general cases. It has been thought to increase local cases, where able, to assist with fluid usage," she said.
For other ASCs, years of supply chain issues have left them well-prepared for shortages.
"I feel that our surgery center will not have any issues with the IV and irrigation fluid shortage," Tessa Garland, clinical director of Rome Orthopaedic Clinic, told Becker's. "Since we were entering into the busiest time of the year for our center, I have stocked up on IV and irrigation fluids. Over the years I have seen many issues with the supply chain, and I wanted to be prepared."