Repertoire Magazine and The Journal of Healthcare Contracting reached out to supply chain leaders and health systems on the current IV shortage to learn more about the steps that the healthcare industry is taking to continue serving its customers and patients.
John Candito, Administrative Director, Supply Chain Management for Onvida Health in Yuma, AZ (10/14/24):
- What steps is your organization taking to mitigate any supply disruptions for IV solutions?
Onvida Health (formerly Yuma Regional Medical Center as of Oct. 8) has a healthy supply of IV and Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) solutions. We are keeping up to date on ordering our allocation on time and in full quantities. We have partnered with clinical leaders to implement conservation planning to reduce utilization, and extend these products as long as possible.
What about other saline solution products? Do you anticipate IV Bag production affecting other areas?
At the current time, and looking into the future 90 days, we are not anticipating any negative effects in any other area related to IV Bag production impacts. Utilizing our warehouse, Onvida Health orders these supplies in a manner that provides us a robust inventory. We are also instituting the conservation measures mentioned before.
General Statement from Henry Ford Health in Detroit, MI (10/15/24):
As a newly expanded integrated health system that uses multiple IV fluid suppliers, including Baxter, we are optimizing our supplies to ensure we maintain the highest quality of care, which remains our priority. Those proactive optimization efforts include implementing our oral hydration guidelines and fluid management protocols in applicable patient settings.
In addition, we’re collaborating with the Michigan Health and Hospitals Association, other healthcare systems and the government to share intelligence, data, and best practices, and we are grateful to alternative suppliers who are ramping up capacity to assist impacted systems and providers across the country.