Large Volume IV Fluids Supply Update

IV bags continue to be on a nationwide shortage.  To make matters worse, this week Baxter cancelled all existing backorders and reduced their allocation quantities.  "These two action steps by Baxter will have  a notable negative impact on what is already an extremely strained supply chain", according to Stacey Barksdale Price, Product Manager of IV Therapy and Pharmaceuticals at Bound Tree Medical, the nation's largest EMS product dirstributor.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists (ASHSP) recently shared the Intravenous solution conservation strategies document attached.   Barksdale Price noted, "Be encouraged by the May / June relief timeline that is mentioned in this document.  We are seeking to understand the remedial efforts taking place at the manufacturing level that supports that resolution timeline.  As more information is available, we will be sure to keep you updated."

To view the latest backorder report, click here.

To listen to an EMS to the Point audio interview with Stacey Barksdale Price regarding the ongoing IV fluids and EMS pharmaceutical backorder problem, click here.