Nationwide IV Fluid Shortage

Renown's Response

The recent hurricanes in the south have impacted the nation's largest IV fluid suppliers. Renown Health, like most health systems, is receiving a limited supply of IV fluid products. Physicians are asked to help conserve available IV bags to manage our supply.

You can help by following the below IV Fluid conservation techniques:

• Use lowest possible volume
  • Consider conserving larger volume bags by using mini bags (100 mL) for blood product administration when appropriate
  • Consider using 500mL NS bags for pressurized hemodynamic monitoring lines instead of 1,000 mL bags
  • Saline lock PIVs whenever possible
• Extending use of current IVFs
  • Hang time for non-additive fluids (maintenance IVFs) is increasing from 72 to 96 hours
  • Finish the bag of fluids currently running during care transitions (ED-to-inpatient, etc) before starting a new bag or new orders
• IDT Rounds prioritization
  • Ensure ordered fluids are appropriate and escalate to MD for saline lock if not already ordered
  • Question IVF needs per patient: review patients with continuous infusions at higher rates and patients who are eating and drinking
  • Question if IV medications can be switched to oral medications in eligible patients
  • Question if continuous IV medications can be switched to IV push when appropriate
  • Review strategies to promote oral fluid resuscitation and potassium replacement
• Central lines & ports
  • Consider central lines that are receiving infusions >12 hour frequency and could be switched to hep lock