Tag: IV Solutions shortage

Media Recap: IV Solutions Shortage & Community Impact

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.
MHA EVP Laura Appel speaks with WOOD TV about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 21 regarding the Baxter IV solutions shortage and the impact hospitals have in their local communities.

WOOD TV aired a story Oct. 21 about the impact the Baxter IV solutions shortage is having on Michigan hospitals. The story includes quotes from Laura Appel, executive vice president and government relations and public policy, MHA, sharing updates on the situation and how hospitals are managing supply.

“I would say with few exceptions, I believe just about every health system in the state is doing what are called conservation measures,” said Appel.

The MHA is also featured in the October issue of FOCUS Magazine, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce’s monthly business publication. The article, located on page 16, focuses on the role healthcare plays in the community, particularly as an employer, and includes quotes from MHA CEO Brian Peters.

“There’s no single answer,” said Peters about issues the MHA is focused on, including workforce shortages, greater behavioral health demands, workplace violence, health equity concerns and hospital viability. “These are obviously very complex issues, so the answers are multiple.”

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Continued Coverage on Baxter IV Solutions Shortage

Top Issues - Healthcare, Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News
Laura Appel speaks with NBC25 about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.
Laura Appel speaks with NBC25 about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.
Laura Appel speaks with NBC25 about the Baxter IV solutions shortage.

The MHA continued to engage with media requests on the Baxter IV solutions shortage during the week of Oct. 14.

NBC25/Fox66 in Flint aired a story Oct. 16 on the shortage, which includes an interview with MHA Executive Vice President Laura Appel. She spoke to the current situation regarding reduced allocations from Baxter to hospitals and how hospitals are managing the shortage.

“Hospitals that use their services would get a smaller allocation than usual,” said Appel. “Many organizations sent out information on how to conserve solutions, how to use less of them all altogether and how to use them differently.”

Michigan Public also published a story Oct. 17 on the topic. The reporting includes sourcing to the MHA and quotes from an association spokesperson.

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.

Baxter IV Solutions Shortage Updates

Member News

The MHA continues to support Michigan hospitals in response to the Baxter IV solutions shortage that began the week of Sept. 29. Baxter International Inc. temporarily closed its North Cove manufacturing plant in Marion, N.C., due to flooding caused by Hurricane Helene. As the largest IV solutions plant in the country, North Cove produces 1.5 million bags of IV solution per day and supplies 60% of the nation’s IV solutions, including critical products like saline, sterile water and peritoneal dialysis solutions.

The MHA continues to hold discussions with healthcare leaders across the state to address the ongoing shortage. These conversations allow hospitals to share insights on supply challenges and explore collaborative strategies for managing the shortage. The MHA continues to gather feedback from its members to advocate for solutions and provide updates on the evolving situation.

Baxter announced it is increasing allocation levels of its highest demand IV fluids for direct customers and distributors to 60%, effective Oct. 9. Baxter is also increasing allocation levels for high-concentration dextrose and sterile water and expects to make additional increases for certain products by early November.

The FDA issued a release Oct. 9 sharing information on temporary importation sources to help mitigate shortages for specific products. The release contains information on 19 products, with imports from Canada, China, Ireland and the UK.

The Baxter Hurricane Helene webpage continues to serve as a single source of information, providing the latest company updates about allocation plans. Updates will be provided on Mondays and Thursdays. Members are encouraged to contact Baxter for questions related to the IV solution situation, particularly if they are in dire need of product. The American Hospital Association is also maintaining a Baxter resource webpage too.

The MHA encourages Michigan residents to consult with their healthcare providers for updates on the shortage and its impact on hospital operations in their area.

Members with questions should contact Laura Appel at the MHA.

Headline Roundup: IV Solutions Shortage, Physician Retention & More

Issues in Healthcare, MHA In The News, Top Issues - Healthcare
Laura Appel
Laura Appel
MHA EVP Laura Appel spoke with WJR, Michigan Public and WILX during the week of Oct. 7, 2024.

The MHA received media coverage the week of Oct. 7 that includes coverage on a potential national shortage of IV solutions products, physician retention and rural hospital funding.

The closure of a Baxter manufacturing facility in North Carolina due to Hurricane Helene led to several media stories, as the plant manufactures approximately 60% of the IV solutions used every day in the U.S.

Meanwhile, Bridge Michigan published a story looking at physician retention while Michigan Radio published a story on the recently signed Senate Bill 701, which eliminates the definition of “critical access hospital” and modifies the definition of “rural hospital.” It also raises the population limit to be considered a “rural hospital” to include counties with 195,000 people or less for the rural hospital funding pool.

Several MHA representatives participated in the news coverage, including Brian Peters, CEO; Laura Appel, executive vice president, government relations & public policy; Elizabeth Kutter, senior director, government & political affairs; and John Karasinski, senior director, communications.

Friday, Oct. 11

Thursday, Oct. 10

Wednesday, Oct. 9

Tuesday, Oct. 8

Monday, Oct. 7

Members with any questions regarding media requests should contact John Karasinski at the MHA.