October 2024
Practice Alert – Medical Fluid Disruption V1
NURSING PRACTICE ALERT
Medical Fluid Disruption:
Conservation Required
WHO IS THE INTENDED AUDIENCE?
All nurses that administer packaged medical fluids
Packaged fluids include:
• Intravenous fluids
• Irrigation fluids
• Dialysate
• Injection preparations
WHAT IS THE CHANGE?
Nurses are asked to modify their practice to mitigate shortages of packaged fluids
This is in response to a significant disruption in the supply of packaged fluids manufactured by Baxter
WHY IS THIS CHANGE HAPPENING?
Hurricane Helene impacted Baxter's medical fluid packaging facility in North Carolina
WHEN WILL THIS CHANGE OCCUR?
The change is currently affecting our ministries
Nurses are asked to modify their practice to conserve available supply immediately
Providence estimates that this shortage will last up to three months
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS
Conserve packaged fluids when possible
• Collaborate with providers to reduce use of IV fluids when patients' clinical condition allows
o Think critically about patients whose TKO fluid orders may be appropriate to discontinue
o Encourage oral rehydration when appropriate, to reduce use of IV fluids
o Advocate for patients whose IV medications could be transitioned to PO route
• Administer the minimum appropriate flush volumes with secondary medication infusions
• Utilize flush syringes for intravenous line flushes when appropriate
• Consider not pre-spiking IV fluid bags until clinically necessary for use
Pay Attention to Detail
• Pharmacy may substitute products when appropriate
• Adult patients may be transitioned to IV Push medications
o Nursing Reference for Antibiotic IV Bolus –Adult Use Only
o Practice Alert – IV Fluid and Medication Mitigation for Nursing
o Product Alert – IV Fluid Mitigation Strategies
ADDITIONAL REFERENCES
Supply Chain communication Baxter Fluid Supply Chain Operations SBAR (003).pdf
Pharmacy communication Hurricane Helene Baxter IV Fluid Mitigation SBAR - 2024 October.pdf
QUESTIONS? Concerns and questions can be directed to your local nursing leaders, pharmacy
leaders, and providers on your patients' care teams
