October 29, 2024:
To our valued patients and community,

The United States is experiencing a severe national shortage of IV solution. IV solution is used in many ways in hospitals and health care settings, including to treat dehydration, to deliver medications, to stabilize blood pressure, to help with blood transfusions and during many surgeries. While we at Skagit Regional Health are experiencing shortages of IV solution, we are ready and available to provide emergency care. All hospitals are taking multiple steps to conserve supply, including rescheduling some less time-sensitive procedures and changing the way we deliver care in accordance with expert state and national guidance in order to reserve IV solution.

The shortage was caused when Hurricane Helene damaged the North Carolina manufacturing plant that produces about 60 percent of the IV solution used in America. We are carefully managing our supply of IV solution to make sure patients who need it most can receive the fluids they need. As a result, your health care providers are making the difficult decision to delay some procedures that can safely be rescheduled. We are also using strategies to conserve supplies. For example, if you come in for care you may be asked to drink fluids before and during your stay rather than receiving fluid through an IV, or your medication may be delivered in a different way.

We are in daily communication with government agencies and our IV solution supplier seeking to increase supply as soon as possible. Please do not hesitate to reach out to your provider with specific questions about your care. Our patients’ health and safety are our top priority.

Sincerely,
Connie Davis, MD
Chief Medical Officer 

October 23, 2024:
Severe damage to the largest pharmaceutical manufacturer of IV fluids by Hurricane Helene continues to hamper supplies to hospitals nationwide, including Skagit Regional Health. Proactive measures have been put in place to conserve IV fluids for emergent care, including rescheduling select, non-emergent surgeries and procedures. This is a temporary and precautionary measure. SRH is exhausting all efforts to identify additional sources for IV fluids.