Western New York medical facilities and businesses impacted by IV fluid shortage

BFLO Hydration is home to an elective, medical spa that treats at least 200 people weekly. A majority of their clients come in for IV fluids.

“A lot of people benefit from just the vitamins, even if it’s not the hydration. What’s unfortunate about it is, we’ll have to turn people away that we actually wouldn’t. That’s actually a lot worse for those people because our services keep people out of the emergency rooms,” Julia Cerny, RN said.

Amanda Hicks is the co-owner of the wellness center, which was created almost six years ago.

“Your hydration status is really important and it’s a key factor in a lot of chronic diseases,” Hicks said.

Hicks and Cerny are now getting creative since there is a lockdown on IV fluids for medical spas like theirs and even doctor’s offices.

What’s going on?

• Baxter International, a company responsible for 60% of the nation’s IV fluid supply closed a plant
• That plant is in North Carolina, impacted by Hurricane Helene
• Hundreds of workers are still missing from the plant, so there’s no telling when they’ll re-open

“We’ve created some new protocols that don’t require fluid administration, so we can essentially still start that IV on you and push the vitamins into your system, where you’re going to get 100% absorption as you would. You’re just not benefiting from the fluids at this time,” Hicks explained.

“Just minerals in a syringe, rather than putting the minerals in the actual liter of fluids. So, the person is still getting all the vitamins and the minerals through the IV directly into the bloodstream but they are not getting dilution. They are not getting hydration. So, they are getting the same exact medicine, just no hydration,” Cerny added.

However, Hicks said if the shortage continues, it could put them out of business for a while.

Area healthcare systems have also had to get creative.

Here is what Oishei Children’s Hospital President Dr. Stephen Turkovich told my colleague, Taylor Epps on Voices on Tuesday.

“We put together new protocols to make sure they can rehydrate children, in particular, of oral fluids; Gatorade in particular is really, really effective,” Dr. Turkovich said. “Hopefully, open up some avenues that aren’t available right now, including IV fluids from other countries.”

Kaleida Health, which OCH is under, released this updated statement on Wednesday:

Catholic Health released this statement on Wednesday:

Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center also released a statement on Wednesday:

Meanwhile, Hicks at BFLO Hydration told me they are anticipating a four-month lockdown on IV fluids for small businesses like theirs, but things could change.

While the IV fluids are being allocated to people in need in emergency rooms, and dialysis centers, for chemo treatment, the med spa will continue to receive medical advice from their medical director, pharmacists and representatives for the best way moving forward.

“A calculation that has to be done to make we can effectively and safely administer vitamins in your veins,” Hicks added. “You don’t just say, I want 25 grams of Vitamin C and we can’t just safely give that to you.”

BFLO Hydration is also expanding to a bigger space in Williamsville.

This upcoming Monday, you can expect the new wellness center to open its doors at 6461 Main Street.