Guidance on Ongoing Port Strike, Hurricane Helene Aftermath

Organizations are offering guidance to surgical facilities that might experience supply chain disruptions from the port workers’ strike and the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

A Baxter International facility in North Carolina damaged by the hurricane has halted production, which could result in shortages of normal saline, dialysis solutions and other IV products, according to healthcare quality and safety organization ECRI. Meanwhile, the strike by dock workers who are members of the International Longshoremen’s Association that began Monday will halt the flow of goods at almost all cargo ports along the East and Gulf Coasts, from Maine to Texas, says ECRI.

While it’s too soon to know exactly how and to what degree the strike will impact availability of critical healthcare supplies, ECRI expects significant disruptions in the medical supply chain, especially for raw materials and items that are imported, if the labor action continues.

“We are actively supporting our supply chain partners in their efforts to ensure patients receive the safest and most efficient care possible, especially during times of supply disruption,” says Tim Browne, an ECRI vice president.

ECRI has published a report to help healthcare providers navigate the Baxter facility shutdown.

Meanwhile, the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN) and the Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals (AHVAP) have joined together to issue guidance and resources for navigating the port strike.

AORN and AHVAP stated Monday that they expect the strike to cause product delivery delays, medication shortages and increased costs of supplies. Facilities should review their inventories, collaborate with suppliers, evaluate alternatives and explore resource-sharing partnerships with other healthcare organizations. “We encourage each of you to engage your teams in discussions around contingency planning and communicate regularly with your supply chain and procurement departments as we monitor the situation closely,” the organizations stated.

AORN and AVHAP also are providing guidance and resources regarding the Baxter closure. They advise facilities to prioritize IV fluids for critical care patients, encourage oral hydration when appropriate, review and adjust clinical protocols, minimize waste through precise dosing and administration, use alternative medication administration routes and educate staff on conservation practices.

“Preserving the integrity of care while managing limited resources will be the key to navigating the challenges posed by the recent disruption in the supply chain,” the groups advise. OSM