Northern Nevada Public Health issues statement on national IV fluid shortage impact in Washoe County

Oct 16, 2024

Oct. 16, 2024. Reno/Sparks, Nev. – Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) – on behalf of its Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Public Health Preparedness (PHP) programs – is working with the state of Nevada, the Nevada Hospital Association, area hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, dialysis centers, and local first responders to address the national IV fluid shortage exacerbated by Hurricane Helene and its impact on production.

We understand that this situation may raise concerns within our community in Washoe County, and we want residents to know that active monitoring of the situation is happening.

The main distributor of IV fluid nationwide, Baxter, was impacted by the rain and storm surge from Hurricane Helene in late September. The company is providing updates about IV fluid production here. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) sent out information to healthcare organizations regarding the shortage.

IV fluids are specially made liquids injected into a vein to help prevent or treat dehydration. They’re used for people of all ages who are sick, injured, dehydrated, or having surgery.

While NNPH doesn’t utilize IV fluid for the services we provide to the community, our EMS and PHP programs work with local healthcare and response partners to help safeguard the health and well-being of our community. More updates to the community, whether by NNPH or local healthcare organizations, will be provided as needed.

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Please note the Washoe County Health District changed its name to Northern Nevada Public Health on Aug. 31, 2023. More information is here.

Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) is nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board and has jurisdiction over all public health matters in Reno, Sparks, and Washoe County through the policy-making District Board of Health. NNPH consists of five divisions: Administrative Health Services, Air Quality Management, Community and Clinical Health Services, Environmental Health Services and Epidemiology & Public Health Preparedness. More info can be found here.