CDC warns damage from hurricane may disrupt kidney care, Baxter increases production
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Key takeaways:
- Baxter has increased global dialysis supplies production to support patients and customers in the United States.
- The American Society of Nephrology recommended strategies to conserve fluid supplies.
The CDC issued a health advisory due to a disruption in the supply of peritoneal dialysis and IV solutions from Baxter International in North Carolina during Hurricane Helene.
The alert intends to inform health providers, pharmacists, administrators and patients of flood and other weather damage affecting supply manufacturing at Baxter’s North Cove facility, according to a press release from the CDC.
“The supply disruption may impact patient care and require adjustments to the clinical management of patients,” CDC officials said in the release. Providers, including state, tribal, local and territorial health departments, “should immediately assess their supply and develop plans and mitigation strategies to reduce the impact on patient care.”
The American Society of Nephrology recommended several strategies to conserve fluid supplies, reduce waste and ensure patient safety; including prioritizing “bag-sparing” over “solution-sparing” strategies, reducing overall sodium intake and providing advice on medication management.
A detailed interim strategies outline from ASN for conservation of peritoneal dialysis solution can be found here, https://www.asn-online.org/news/2024/1007-PD_Solutions.pdf.
Baxter has increased global manufacturing to support patients and customers in the United States, according to a company press release. The company said it expects to have more than 3,000 employees and remediation contractors working on recovery efforts. Baxter has received HHS, FDA and Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response support and is working to mitigate possible additional disruptions from Hurricane Milton.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with all those affected by Hurricane Helene,” José E. Almeida, chair, president and CEO at Baxter, said in a separate press release. “The safety of our employees, their families and the communities in which we operate remains our utmost concern, and we are committed to helping ensure reliable supply of products to patients.”
References:
Baxter provides update on North Cove, N.C., facility and Hurricane Helene relief plans for community. https://www.baxter.com/baxter-newsroom/baxter-provides-update-north-cove-nc-facility-and-hurricane-helene-relief-plans. Published Sep. 29, 2024. Accessed Oct. 15, 2024.
Disruptions in availability of peritoneal dialysis and intravenous solutions from Baxter International facility in North Carolina. https://www.cdc.gov/healthcare-associated-infections/bulletins/shortage-of-iv-and-peritoneal-dialysis-solutions.html. Published Oct. 14, 2024. Accessed Oct. 15, 2024.
Hurricane Helene updates. https://www.baxter.com/baxter-newsroom/hurricane-helene-updates. Published Oct. 14, 2024. Accessed Oct. 15, 2024.
Interim strategies for conservation of peritoneal dialysis (PD) solution. https://epc.asn-online.org/projects/epi/.
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