According to an Oct. 1 news release, ECRI, a healthcare quality and safety organization, released a report to assist healthcare providers navigate shortages caused by the Baxer facility shutdown.
We reported on the shutdown earlier this week.
The news release says that “The healthcare supply chain is at risk of shortages and inefficiencies due to destruction caused by Hurricane Helene along the southeast coast of the U.S., and the strike of the International Longshoremen’s Association.”
ECRI is monitoring these shortages.
Further, “Since a Baxter International Inc. facility in North Carolina halted production due to hurricane damage, medical facilities may experience shortages of normal saline, dialysis solutions, and additional IV products that are critical for patient care.”
The release added, “October 1 also marks the beginning of a strike by U.S. dockworkers with the International Longshoremen’s Association. The strike will stop the flow of a wide variety of goods over the docks of almost all cargo ports from Maine to Texas.”
We’ve reported last week on the potential strike that has now taken place. Updates will be available coming soon.
“Although it will take some time to see how the strike impacts the availability of critical supplies, ECRI supply team experts expect significant disruptions in the medical supply chain, particularly for imported goods and raw materials, if the situation persists,” the release commented.
