October 10, 2024- The Journal of Healthcare Contracting reached out to several supply chain leaders this week regarding the IV solutions shortage caused by Hurricane Helene and the temporary closure of a manufacturing facility.
Cecile Hozouri, VP of Supply Chain of San Diego, California-based Scripps Health:
Hurricane Helene created a disruption in the supply chain for intravenous solutions (IV) due to the temporary closure of a Baxter IV plant in North Carolina. The closure is impacting many health systems in San Diego, including Scripps.
Thankfully Scripps contracts with other IV solution manufacturers; however, our pharmacy teams are collaborating with clinicians to explore other alternatives while our supplies remain a concern.
Tom Harvieux, Chief Supply Chain Officer, BJC HealthCare, St. Louis:
BJC Health System has made significant investments in resiliency and is fortunate to have solutions in stock at our distribution facility and managed closely by a dedicated inventory planning team. Our organization has implemented conservation measures to reduce demand of these critical products as we anticipate the disruption to linger for weeks or months.
BJC Health System has instituted conservation measures to help preserve resources while suppliers and transportation networks are reestablished. BJC is supported by a self-distribution facility who’s capabilities are providing BJC with additional protections from the impact of this disruption.
Judy Webb-Hapgood, MBA, RN, Chief Supply Chain Officer, University of Miami, University of Miami Health System:
In Florida, we must have our emergency management plan for when hurricanes happen. IV fluids are a part of that plan.
We have a relationship with a vendor that has a warehouse with IV fluids here in Florida and they have manufacturing in the United States in different areas. So, some of our IV fluids are coming from them directly and not just relying strictly on Baxter. So that’s really helped us too because we’re currently on 100% allocation with them and we’re their committed customer.
Last week, supply chain and our clinical and pharmacy teams began to look at opportunities. Where do we have options to buy other IV fluids? Do we have options of using different things that would meet the standards for their clinical quality? We want to have those conversations at the beginning when it first started becoming an issue instead of waiting.