Summit Healthcare's Response to the National IV Fluid Shortage
Summit Healthcare has been impacted by the national intravenous (IV) fluid shortage currently affecting hospitals across the country. While our proactive planning allowed us to manage this challenge longer than many other facilities, we have now reached a point where adjustments are necessary to conserve our current supply.
To ensure we can continue to meet the needs of all patients, elective surgeries in select specialties will be rescheduled in a coordinated effort by our medical leaders. If you have a scheduled elective procedure, please wait to be contacted by our team regarding any changes.
It is important to emphasize that this temporary measure does not impact emergent or necessary follow-up care. We remain fully committed to providing high-quality care and encourage patients not to delay seeking medical attention.
Adjustments to elective surgery schedules will be made on a week-by-week basis, depending on supply levels. We are optimistic that the situation will stabilize and resolve by the beginning of the year.
We appreciate the patience and understanding of our community during this challenging time. Summit Healthcare is here to care for you, even amid the IV shortage, and we are dedicated to minimizing disruptions to your health and wellness.
Understanding Elective vs. Non-Elective Surgery
Elective Surgery: A planned, non-urgent procedure that can be safely postponed without affecting the patient’s health. These surgeries are often scheduled in advance and are not critical for immediate health.
Non-Elective Surgery: A necessary or urgent procedure that addresses a medical condition requiring immediate or timely attention. These surgeries cannot be delayed without potentially compromising the patient’s health.
Our Commitment to Your Care: While some elective surgeries may be rescheduled due to the national IV fluid shortage, we want to assure you that all urgent and necessary surgeries will proceed without disruption. Your health and well-being are our top priority, and our medical team is fully prepared to handle these cases. We are committed to minimizing any impact and ensuring that patients receive the attention they need, when they need it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The IV fluid shortage is a result of Hurricane Helene, which caused the shutdown of Baxter International, the leading supplier of IV fluids. This disruption, combined with increased demand and supply chain challenges, has significantly impacted the availability of IV fluids for hospitals nationwide.
To determine if your surgery will be affected by the IV fluid shortage, it's best to wait for direct communication from Summit Healthcare. If your elective surgery is impacted, our team will contact you with details regarding any changes to your schedule. Emergent and necessary follow-up care will not be affected, so please continue to seek medical attention if needed.
We are actively working to address the situation in collaboration with state organizations and remain hopeful that the shortage will be resolved by the beginning of the year. The situation is being evaluated on a week-by-week basis, and we will provide timely updates to this page.
If you need emergency surgery, rest assured that Summit Healthcare will prioritize your care. The IV fluid shortage only affects elective surgeries, not emergent or necessary procedures. Emergency surgeries will continue as usual, and you will receive the care you need without delay.
Updates
01/07/2025
We are closely monitoring the national IV solution shortage and its impact on our operations. While some IV products have shown signs of recovery, others remain in limited supply. Our priority is to ensure the safety and care of our patients while responsibly managing resources.
We appreciate your understanding and patience as we navigate this ongoing situation. Further updates will be provided as they become available.
