text: Chadron Community Hospital is responding to a nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids caused by the temporary closure of Baxter’s manufacturing plant in Marion, North Carolina. The plant, which supplies 60% of the country’s IV solutions (approximately 1.5 million bags daily), was severely impacted by damage from Hurricane Helene, disrupting the supply chain across the healthcare system.
  Background Baxter is actively working to repair the damage and is exploring alternative production sites to mitigate the impact of the shutdown. However, until full operations resume, health care facilities that rely on Baxter, including Chadron Community Hospital, have been placed on a 40% allocation. This means only 40% of our recent quarterly orders will be delivered. Additionally, other suppliers have put customers on allocation to manage existing inventories, though efforts are underway to ramp up production.
  Assessment The disruption in IV fluid supplies is likely to affect patient care nationwide. All healthcare providers, including Chadron Community Hospital, are being asked to implement conservation strategies. While conservation measures are necessary, our top priority remains patient safety.
  Community Impact Chadron Community Hospital is taking proactive steps to manage our current IV fluid supply while ensuring we maintain high standards of care. These measures may include postponing elective procedures that require IV fluids and exploring alternative treatments to protect the supply for critical and emergency care needs.
  The projected timeline for the shortage is currently three months, but we will review our inventory on a weekly basis. Decisions regarding scheduled procedures will be made with patient safety in mind, and patients with upcoming elective procedures may be contacted by the hospital. We encourage anyone with concerns to reach out to Chadron Community Hospital with any questions.
  “We are committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients and community throughout this challenging time. By working closely with our healthcare team and implementing necessary conservation strategies, we hope to mitigate the impact of this shortage and protect care for those in need,” said Brenda Rhembrandt, Vice President of Patient Care at Chadron Community Hospital.
  For more information or questions, please contact Chadron Community Hospital at (308) 432-5586.