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The IV fluid shortage induced by Hurricane Helene’s damage around the Baxter plant near Marion, NC—which reportedly supplies as much as 60% of the U.S. supply—is stabilizing. A temporary bridge is being built at the site and Baxter anticipates significantly increasing production as soon as next week. The Biden administration invoked the Defense Production Act, FDA permitted increased importation of fluids, and some restrictions on compounding IV fluids by hospitals have been lifted. Many hospitals are resuming elective surgeries. An intensivist working at a mid-sized community hospital in the Southeast encountered no restrictions on the use of IV fluids in the ICU and observed no negative impact on patients.
Epic filed a motion to dismiss Particle Health’s antitrust lawsuit, arguing it acted properly in restricting the flow of patient data to non-healthcare providers in Particle’s client base.