Following significant flooding at Baxter International production facility, hospitals across the United States are bracing for potential shortages of intravenous (IV).
Baxter International halted production after Hurricane Helene caused extensive flooding at its site. Tragically, the storm, now downgraded to a tropical storm, has resulted in a death toll of 217 across six southeastern states.
Feeling the impact, Boston’s Mass General Brigham hospital has recently reported, that it will receive only 40% of its usual supply from Baxter. In response, the hospital is conserving its remaining IV fluids and has resorted to offering patients alternatives like Gatorade or plain water to maintain care levels.
However, in a statement released on Friday, Baxter International assured, “We continue to work around-the-clock to assess the full extent of the impact and minimize potential supply disruptions to help ensure patients and providers have the products they need.”
This disruption in IV fluid supplies comes amid widespread power outages, with over 800,000 people affected, predominantly in North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Some residents in Florida and Virginia are also without power.
Meanwhile, the hurricane’s aftermath has raised concerns about the upcoming election, with a judge in South Carolina granting voters an additional ten days to register due to the storm’s impact.
The National Task Force on Election Crises is also addressing how the storm has affected polling station accessibility. Several voting sites in North Carolina have been severely damaged, and new locations may need to be established to facilitate voting.
As per Robert Orr, a former North Carolina Supreme Court Justice, the storm would likely lead to decreased voter turnout in the affected counties, which are crucial swing areas for the upcoming presidential election.
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