DENVER (KDVR) — The impact of hurricanes Milton and Helene is being felt in Colorado as the health system Banner Health announced it would be postponing elective surgeries to conserve IV fluids for more emergent surgeries.
In a statement provided to FOX31, Banner Health said the ongoing national shortage has led the health system to delay “some elective surgeries across all our locations effective Monday, Oct. 14.”
Colorado task force returning home from Hurricane Helene, Milton recovery work
The U.S. supply of IV fluids, or intravenous fluids, was impacted earlier in October when the Baxter plant in North Carolina was damaged by Hurricane Helene. A similar factory in Daytona Beach, Florida, managed to avoid damage during Hurricane Milton.
On Oct. 11, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued further details about the ongoing IV fluids shortage and how much was being produced through the Baxter plant. There are three specific shortages the FDA is attributing to the Baxter plant damage: Dextrose 70% IV solution, Lactated Ringers IV solution and Peritoneal Dialysis solution.