The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued this Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to inform healthcare providers, pharmacists, healthcare facility administrators, and state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments of a supply disruption of peritoneal dialysis (PD) and intravenous (IV) solutions from the Baxter International’s North Cove facility in North Carolina, due to Hurricane Helene. The supply disruption may impact patient care and require adjustments to the clinical management of patients. Healthcare providers, pharmacists, healthcare facility administrators, and state, tribal, local, and territorial health departments, regardless of supply chain disruptions, should immediately assess their supply and develop plans and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact on patient care.
Recommendations for Healthcare Providers, Pharmacists, and Healthcare Facility Administrators in Healthcare Facilities:
- Assess inventory, supply, and conserve available IV solutions.
- Implement a facility-specific action plan to optimize the use of IV solutions using evidence-based fluid management protocols.
- Ensure multidisciplinary team involvement to determine and develop conservation and stewardship strategies using IV solutions in specific patient populations.
- Communicate changes in current practice, disruption, new shortages, and action plan adjustments to hospital leadership and frontline staff.
Recommendations for Providers and Administrators in Dialysis Facilities:
- Assess and monitor inventory of available PD solutions.
- Implement an action plan for emergency PD treatment protocols.
- Communicate with patients receiving PD at home and their care providers.
- Consider options for individual patients, keeping safety in mind.
- Reinforce patient safety principles when not using usual products and procedures to prevent patient injury and medical errors.
Learn more on cdc.gov.