Hospitals hit by shortages across the country after a major manufacturing plant was damaged by Hurricane Helen

The Biden administration has invoked martial law to boost production of intravenous fluids, and supplies are being flown in from around the world as hospitals struggle to treat patients in need.

After Hurricane Helen Damaged one of the largest intravenous fluid production plants in the United States, and hospitals across the country are struggling to treat patients.

Helen devastated parts of Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas and parts of the Appalachian region when she made landfall on September 26, leaving behind damaged hospitalsschools and manufacturing plants such as Baxter International Manufacturing Facility in North Cove, North Carolina

The plant, located about an hour east of Asheville, is the largest manufacturer of intravenous fluid and peritoneal dialysis in the United States, according to the company. American Medical Association (AMA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The company was forced to close due to flooding, the company said in a statement. statementand October 11 The FDA has added three types of IV solutions to its drug shortage database. — they are all produced at the Baxter International plant.

Officials said the plant’s closure resulted in major supply disruptions. AP. Some doctors are switching patients to drinking Gatorade or water instead of intravenous fluids, and hospitals are being forced to postpone surgeries.

Connected: The death toll from Hurricane Helen has risen to 224. Here’s how to help relief efforts

“It’s not great for patients, but it gets the most out of what you have,” Erin Fox, associate chief pharmacist at University of Utah Health, told the AP.

According to Cleveland ClinicIntravenous fluids are most often used to treat patients suffering from dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, which can be caused by vomiting and diarrhea, too much exposure to heat, or serious injuries or burns. They are also used during operations because patients are often unable to eat or drink water for long periods of time.

“If you cut off the IV fluid supply to a hospital, it would be like cutting off the water supply to your home,” said Dr. Chris DeRienzo of the American Hospital Association. Weather on FOX. “It doesn’t take long for the level of intensity with which you have to react to get very, very high.”

Despite difficulties with hospitals and doctors, recovery efforts are now underway. On October 15, the Biden administration invoked wartime Defense Production Act authorities to speed up the recovery of Baxter International. CBS News The AMA reportedly said the company imports materials from five of its international facilities.

Connected: More than 50 people stranded on hospital roof in Tennessee by Hurricane Helen Floods rescued

“Providing people with necessary medicines is the administration’s top priority. That’s why we are working closely with Baxter to support the cleanup and restoration of the site, including relying on the Defense Production Act to help restart production as quickly as possible,” a Department of Health and Human Services spokesperson told CBS News.

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The AP reported that while Baxter has no set timeline for when it will be able to return to its normal pre-storm production levels, employees have returned to work and the company has said it wants to resume production by the end of the year. .

Staff have completed a deep clean of the facility, power and water have been turned back on, and staff are working to inspect and repair facility equipment.

Helen was Category 4 storm when it made landfall near Perry, Florida, last month. In just a few hours, it caused damaging wind gusts as well as “catastrophic, life-threatening (and) record” flooding in many areas. As of October 24, the death toll had risen to 224.

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