The fallout from the hurricanes on the east coast is beginning to be felt here on the North Olympic Peninsula.  Forks Community hospital has suspended all elective, non-emergent procedures due to a disruption of IV fluid supplies caused by the impact of Hurricane Helene.  The hospital says in a Facebook posting it that is has immediately suspended  elective procedures in order to have enough IV supplies for patients with urgent medical needs. The suspension comes after the Washington State Hospital Association has advised hospitals across the state to conserve their supplies of IV fluid after a major manufacturer of the fluids, the Baxter facility in North Carolina, was impacted by Hurricane Helene.  The facility supplies approximately 60 percent, or 1.5 million bags of the solution used in hospitals every day across the country.

 WSHA President and CEO Cassie Sauer says, “Unfortunately, the current supply chain disruption means that some procedures  that are not as time-sensitive may be delayed.  However, the longer procedures are delayed, the sicker patients can get. It is not an acceptable long-term solution.”

The Forks hospital says it will continue to monitor this national IV shortage and provide updates as possible.