BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Catholic Health is canceling most elective surgeries requiring IV fluids for the remainder of the week because of a shortage of supplies due to damage caused by Hurricane Helene.
"Our top priority is providing the safest patient care," the hospital system said in a statement. "Catholic Health’s physician and nursing leadership teams are identifying safe and effective alternatives and implementing protocols to conserve our current supply. Our supply chain team is also working to identify additional sources of supply."
What's going on?
- Baxter International, a company responsible for 60% of the nation's IV fluid supply closed a plant
- That plant is in North Carolina, impacted by Hurricane Helene
- Hundreds of workers are still missing from the plant, so there's no telling when they'll re-open
How will this impact us in WNY?
Many hospitals here get their IV fluids from Baxter, so operations may be limited depending on where you go.
Catholic Health
"This is really very serious," Dr. Victor Filadora, Chief Physician Executive at Catholic Health told 7 News Monday. "They are Catholic Health's sole supplier of fluids so this is affecting our organization pretty significantly."
Catholic Health received 40% of what they would normally use, so now they have to pivot. They postponed surgeries on October 4 and 7.
"We are pursuing other venues and looking at other institutions that don't use as much, you can imagine as this is evolving our buffer is shrinking and you never want to get to zero," said Filadora.
Kaleida Health
Kaleida Health is feeling the impact as well. A spokesperson tells 7 News they're closely monitoring the situation.
"Our top priority remains ensuring the safety and well-being of our patients. We have implemented proactive measures to manage and conserve our existing supply, while working diligently to secure alternative options," said Elizabeth Ortolani, Kaleida Health Spokesperson.
At this time they are not rescheduling surgeries.
ECMC
Also feeling the impacts. We're told they have accessed some extra IV fluids and are conserving it.
"Our primary concern is the health and well-being of our patients and there has been no interruption to our services. We have been in regular contact with the NYS Department of Health, colleagues throughout the nation’s healthcare environment and industry representatives. We will continue to monitor this evolving national situation closely,” said Peter Cutler, Sr. VP of Communications & External Affairs for Erie County Medical Center Corporation.
How will this impact healthcare workers?
We brought this question to the CWA, a union representing workers at Mercy Hospital of Buffalo, Buffalo General Medical Center, Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital and others.
"I haven't heard that there's been any layoffs or downsizing of staff, folks have been offered voluntary paid time off," said Debbie Hayes, Upstate New York Area Director for the CWA.
She says healthcare workers are still busy working on emergency and critical needs in our hospitals.
All say they're watching the situation closely as it develops.
On October 9, the New York State Department of Health released the following statement:
The New York State Department of Health is working closely with our federal partners to monitor a potential shortage of intravenous (IV) fluid in New York State as a result of the impact of hurricane Helene. Storm damage has forced the closure of the Baxter plant in Marion, North Carolina, which supplies upwards of 60 percent of IV fluids used in the United States.
It's encouraging to see that federal officials are reportedly seeking to approve shipments of additional IV fluids from overseas to help address this challenge.
The State Department of Health remains vigilant and is working closely with hospitals, health facilities and emergency responders within the state to issue guidance and to respond to critical needs as they are identified. The Department is also surveying facilities to get a sense of their supply status.
Through this communication, we are assessing which hospitals and long-term care facilities may be impacted and we will work with them to ensure they have the supplies needed to treat their patients and residents.”
