Patients scramble for treatments as hospitals conserve IV fluids after storms
On Sunday, however, Hemze, 52, of Farmington, Minnesota, got a call from the hospital, Abbott Northwestern, telling her that her surgery had been canceled. The hospital was getting reduced shipments of intravenous fluids, essential for patients during surgeries, after Hurricane Helene damaged a Baxter International facility in North Carolina, leading to its temporary closure. The plant is the nation’s largest producer of IV fluids.
Hemze said she hasn’t been able to get in contact with her doctor since the cancellation and fears her cancer will only get worse.
On Thursday, shortly after NBC News reached out to Allina Health, a network of hospitals that includes Abbott Northwestern, for comment, Hemze said she got a call from her doctor informing her that her surgery had been rescheduled for Friday morning. In a statement, a spokesperson for Allina Health said the hospital had been working to reschedule appointments Thursday and prioritizing cases such as Hemze’s.
Her case is far from unique, however: Hospitals across the United States have said they’re taking steps to conserve their supply of IV fluids, including postponing or canceling nonemergency surgeries. Where possible, patients are provided with Gatorade or water for hydration, instead of IV solutions.
