PIERRE, S.D.(DRGNews)- At least one of South Dakota’s three major healthcare systems has not yet been affected by a nationwide shortage of IV fluid in the United States.

A spokesperson for Sanford Health responded to a request from DRG Media Group saying, “Sanford Health is not currently experiencing any significant shortage of IV fluids in our hospitals and clinics. We continue to monitor supply and have initiated conservation efforts to support those that are experiencing shortages. At this point we are not postponing any surgeries, including elective surgeries, due to shortages in IV fluids.”

DRG Media Group has also reached out to the other two major medical providers in the state– Avera and Monument– asking about their current supplies. DRG will share those responses, if and when we receive them.

On Thursday, five republican governors– including South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem– sent a letter urging President Joe Biden to address the shortage of IV fluid in the United States. Hurricane Helene damaged the Baxter International Plant in Marion, North Carolina, which produces approximately 60% of IV solutions used across the country.

Noem and colleagues say hospitals and health systems are employing conservation strategies and exploring alternatives, but those strategies have limited effectiveness and are not sustainable without increased production and reliable access.

According to the South Dakota Department of Health, some hospitals, long-term care facilities, EMS agencies and other healthcare providers only had enough IV fluid on hand to cover their needs for 7-20 days. Since the shortage began, these facilities have typically only been able to receive 30-50% of their orders for IV fluids.

Along with Noem, also signing the letter were Governors from Louisiana, Nebraska, South Carolina and Wyoming.

The letter highlighted the continued reliance on foreign suppliers for America’s pharmaceutical supply chain, particularly China and India. The Governors called on President Biden to take the following specific steps:

• Collaborate with the FDA to identify international manufacturers capable of producing sterile IV solutions and their containers;
• Remove any barriers preventing the importation of sterile IV and peritoneal dialysis solutions from abroad; and
• The Federal Trade Commission and the Department of Justice should be on alert for any instances of price gouging related to this shortage.