U.S. officials are rushing to replenish dwindling supplies of IV fluids across the country, as a major supplier in western North Carolina remains knocked out of service by Hurricane Helene and the massive flooding it unleashed, The New York Times reported Wednesday.
The Baxter plant in North Carolina, together with a B. Braun plant in Florida, produces about 85% of the nation's IV fluid supply. The shortage caused by the Baxter plant's temporary closure has forced hospitals to postpone surgeries as a desperate measure to ration supplies for patients in the most critical condition.
