Confluence Health rations IV solutions amid nationwide shortage, delays elective surgeries

WENATCHEE — Confluence Health is implementing measures to address a nationwide shortage of intravenous (IV) solutions, a crisis affecting healthcare facilities across the United States.

The shortage stems from Hurricane Helene's impact on a Baxter facility in North Carolina, which produces approximately 60% of the country's IV solutions, equivalent to 1.5 million bags daily. The Washington State Hospital Association previously reported on this disruption, which is expected to persist until the facility resumes full production, possibly lasting until year's end.

Confluence Health, serving the largest geographic region of any healthcare system in Washington State, is taking proactive steps to maintain adequate fluid supplies for urgent and emergency care in North Central Washington.

Kelly Allen, chief nursing officer at Confluence Health, emphasized the organization's priorities: "Our core goal as we address this supply chain disruption is to make sure that we are able to maintain enough fluids on-hand so that we can provide the crucial care our patients need."

Allen added, "While we are still receiving fluid shipments, the amount available to each facility has been significantly reduced nationwide to help conserve. We are proactively addressing this challenge by ensuring, despite this limitation, that our patients still receive the level of care they expect and need with minimal impact, while also making certain that emergency and critical care services are not interrupted."

To manage the shortage, Confluence Health is implementing a strategy that includes delaying certain elective procedures. Dr. James Murray, chief medical officer for Confluence Health, explained the approach: "In order to be able to maintain the level of fluids on-hand that is needed to address emergencies or care that cannot wait, we will be delaying some elective cases that require a large amount of fluids."

Murray acknowledged the inconvenience this may cause, stating, "While we never like to reschedule surgeries due to the disruption this brings to our patients, we need to prioritize emergency services for our communities. We hope to only delay these elective procedures by a few weeks to help us to build up our fluid reserves."

Patients affected by these delays will be contacted directly by Confluence Health's patient services teams to reschedule their procedures.

Confluence Health serves over 12,000 square miles across Okanogan, Grant, Douglas, and Chelan counties. As one of only two locally-led healthcare systems in Washington State, it aims to maintain access to high-quality, cost-effective healthcare services for North Central Washington.

The organization's board of directors, comprising nine community members and six physicians, oversees Confluence Health's operations and decision-making during this challenging period.

As the situation develops, healthcare providers nationwide continue to monitor the IV solution supply chain, adapting their strategies to ensure critical care remains uninterrupted.