DENVER (KDVR) — Two hurricanes that hit Florida this month are affecting key medical supplies and could impact the transportation of citrus produce.
Hurricanes Helene and Milton come after the port strike earlier this month. University of Denver supply chain expert Dr. Jack Buffington told FOX31 that the Baxter plant in North Carolina is still recovering from damage that caused a shortage of IV fluid.
“They’re only sending out about 40 to 50% of solutions that hospitals are using so there’s a big shortage and there’s also a potential to get some of the fluids from Ireland,” said Buffington.
The Colorado Hospital Association told the Problem Solvers there are no reported IV fluid shortages in Colorado but the industry is taking steps to prepare.
“To counteract panic buying, Baxter International has put customers on 'allocation,' meaning that they can only purchase their regular order sizes. Additionally, the FDA is working with Baxter to ramp up production at other facilities,” said a CHA spokesperson.
CHA will continue to closely track the availability of supplies.
"All hospitals keep a close eye on their supplies and the rate at which they are used, and most manage an overstock of commonly used items like IVs. Should Colorado face a supply shortage from one vendor, hospitals also maintain lists of alternative vendors and supplies that can be used," said a CHA spokesperson.
The hurricanes are also poised to disrupt the U.S. citrus market. Florida provides more than 42% of U.S. citrus products. Buffington predicts grocery stores could be affected with consumers possibly seeing shortages or higher prices.
King Soopers provided a statement to FOX31, saying, “At this time, we are not seeing a disruption to the produce supply chain, however, should a sourcing issue arise we will work to import fruits and vegetables from other areas."
HCA HealthONE, which includes Presbyterian St. Luke's and Rocky Mountain Children's, has operations in Georgia, Florida and North Carolina. The company told FOX31 its staff stands ready to address any impact issues during and after the storm.
“HCA HealthONE is grateful that the recent natural disasters devastating our nation have not impacted operations in our Denver-market. There is an enormous benefit to being a part of a system as broad as HCA HealthONE locally and HCA Healthcare nationally so that our hospitals are able to meet the needs of any one facility throughout the nation who is experiencing a more significant natural disaster or surge-related event by sharing nurses, technicians, supplies, best practices, etc. Our hospital leaders staff our HCA HealthONE emergency operations center (EOC) when situations arise to ensure the safety of our patients, our caregivers, and our assets. Our HCA HealthONE hospitals implement pre-identified, well-organized, and coordinated emergency preparedness plans through the EOC to facilitate as much readiness as possible at the corporate, division, and facility levels when the region and nation experience events that may impact our operations. Supplies, food, pharmaceuticals, emergency generators, sump pumps, aircraft, ground transport, and security personnel are deployed when/if necessary.
"Our thoughts and prayers certainly go out to those affected by these events, and especially to our HCA Healthcare family in Florida, Georgia and North Carolina who have been personally impacted by hurricane Helene and who are preparing for hurricane Milton. Our colleagues are showing their strength, compassion, and unwavering commitment through these difficult days. We are deeply grateful that the full resources and experience of the entire HCA Healthcare organization are being brought to bear to address these hurricane related challenges, and our colleagues at HCA HealthONE stand ready to support our sister facilities should the need arise.”
HCA HealthONE
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