October 14, 2024 Page 1 of 2
Practice Alert
Baxter IV Fluid Shortage
To: All clinical caregivers in the Alaska Region
From: Alaska Service Area Incident Management Team
As you are likely aware, a Baxter manufacturing facility in North Carolina sustained damage
from Hurricane Helene, disrupting production and impacting supply. Providence procures about
60% of its IV fluids from Baxter.
Inventory assessment:
The 12 highest volume Baxter SKUs make up 91% of total usage at Providence. At
current consumption rates, our inventory is expected to last 25 days.
Conservation efforts are a must to ensure that our most vulnerable patients
receive needed IV fluids in a timely manner.
Conservation recommendations:
Our goal is reducing usage by 50% using a variety of strategies as indicated below.
Incident Command Plans and Communications:
As the situation continues to evolve nationwide, plans may need to re-adjust quickly. The
Alaska Region has set up an incident command team to monitor inventory, cascade
communication, and establish conservation plans.
Communication updates will be posted to the IV Fluid Conservation – Alaska Region
site.
Recommendations:
1. Refer to the next page for identified conservations strategies to be employed immediately.
Physician recommendations are being vetted with physician leaders and will be added
ASAP.
2. Cascade communication to all clinical caregivers. Consider using tiered huddles and DMS
boards.
3. Refer to the IV Fluid Conservation – Alaska Region page for posted updates from the
Incidence Command team.
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