US hospitals strained by IV fluid supply limits after Helene hit production site | CNN
www.cnn.com
Hospitals across the United States are rationing critical intravenous fluids and postponing some surgeries as the national supply chain continues to reel from severe disruptions triggered by Hurricane Helene two weeks ago. Now more threats – including respiratory virus season and another hurricane – are looming.

Also happened in 2017 when the same supplier’s facility in Puerto Rico got hit (the US’s primary IV / dialysis fluid supplier). They already knew this was an issue and never actually fixed it. IV fluids are one of the most basic medical supplies. And if I’m hearing correctly a lot of hospitals aren’t rescheduling elective surgeries (and some electives are necessary / time limited but many aren’t or are even cosmetic). Completely preventable problem that could be being managed better even now it’s happened.

  • magnetosphere@fedia.io
    3·
    21 days ago

    This is just the beginning. Total bush league stuff. People will be absolutely shitting themselves in a few years when things really start to get bad.

    All you can do is learn how to simply not give a fuck (imitate billionaires and politicians), or focus on local issues you can actually change.

    • Apytele@sh.itjust.worksOP
      2·
      21 days ago

      Tbh I’m trying to even just focus on my own pt assignment each night. Historically I get roped into helping with other people’s pts even when I’m not charge nurse and it’s especially hard to not do that in psych where milieu therapy means they’re all out and about and affecting each other’s care. I’m thinking about just moving to hospice it sounds so relaxing to just focus on making people comfortable. Maybe even home hospice so it’s always just one pt at a time.

        • Apytele@sh.itjust.worksOP
          2·
          21 days ago

          Sorry like the patients actually assigned to me personally vs the patients assigned to other nurses. I keep getting roped into caring for other people’s patients so they don’t rile up my patients. And then before I know it I’m practically holding up a whole damn unit by myself.