Family guidelines and information related to shortage of IV fluid bags
One of the nation’s largest makers of IV fluid bags temporarily closed its factory in North Carolina earlier this month after the damages caused by Hurricane Helene. Because of this, many hospitals are running low on IV fluid bags and are trying to save what they have for the sickest kids. Also, many hospitals are now trying to find IV fluids from other places, but even so, there will not be enough IV fluid bags for at least the next few months.
What you can expect this to mean to you or your child:
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- Doctors will be more selective about who will get IV fluids. In most cases, IV fluids will only be given to those children who are very dehydrated, are not able to drink fluids, or are not conscious or alert.
- To reduce waste, doctors and nurses monitor how much IV fluids is given. Also, when no longer needed, IV fluids will be stopped.
- Medications that must be given as IV, will be mixed in a way to be given in a faster and with less IV fluid when possible.
- Hospitals will encourage drinking by month, using oral rehydration (Pedialyte or Gatorade)
- Different areas of the hospital will also share the IV fluids with each other, making IV fluids first available to the most ill children such as those in the intensive care unit, the emergency department or the operating rooms get priority for IV fluids.
Important facts for patients and families to remember:
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- If you have a child who can easily get dehydrated, such as having a metabolic condition, make sure your doctors know about this
- Don’t worry, if your child is severely dehydrated and is unable to take fluids by mouth, IV fluids will be started as usual.
- If your child is involved in a serious accident and has lost blood, they will still be able to get IV fluids until blood is available for transfusion.
- Paramedics who transport ill and injured children continue to receive information and training on how to decide which children need IV fluids.
What will change:
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- Oral rehydration solutions will be considered more closely as first line treatment instead of IV fluids when possible.
- For children who become dehydrated from stomach flu (vomiting and diarrhea), doctors will probably first treat the vomiting with a medicine to stop vomiting.
- For children with pain in their throat or stomach pain, healthcare workers will treat with pain medicine such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, so that the child can drink fluids better and pain is controlled.
How to make your own oral rehydration solution at home:
In most cases, you can also make your own oral rehydration solution at home with common household items. Many recipes are found online, but this is one of the simple one that works very well. You only need salt, sugar, and water. Mix in the following proportions.
Resources
WikiHow:
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Oral-Rehydration-Salts-Drink-%28ORS%29
PPN resource central:
https://resources.pedspandemicnetwork.org/resource-guides/conserving-iv-fluids/
University of Utah Drug Information resource:
Fact sheet for families: