Saline solution shortage impacts hospitals worldwide

The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration warned that hospitals worldwide are experiencing a saline solution shortage. 

Health news website Health Leaders reported that the shortage is likely due to product recalls and increased hospitalizations due to increased flu cases. 

Wayne Russell, senior director of pharmacy at group purchasing organization Premier Inc., said the issues caused a manufacturing slowdown. As a result, he believes manufacturers “haven’t caught up with demand.”

What is the possible impact of the saline solution shortage?

People often don’t think of the importance of saline solutions in healthcare. However, these are highly essential for administering medicines into the bloodstream.

Also, contrary to popular belief, saline solutions aren’t just water. Healthcare professionals mix them using the right amounts of chemicals to ensure they remain isotonic.

READ: WHO study bares bitter health impact of excessive salt use: Deaths, diseases

In other words, the chemical concoction should have the same osmotic pressure as your blood. Otherwise, the medicine may cause your blood to enter a “hypertonic” state causing your blood cells to shrink.

So a saline solution shortage could delay numerous medical procedures for people and animals, and cause medical costs to skyrocket.

David Jaspan, the director of pharmacy and materials management at Union Hospital of Cecil County in Elkton, MD, shared an example with Health Leaders Media.

The doctor mentioned his supplier proposed a 300 percent price increase to hospital budgets, which may reflect higher prices for patients. 

Hospitals respond to the issue by conserving saline solution with smaller bags and replacing them frequently. Also, they have been mixing the compound in-house, and some use alternatives.

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Nevertheless, the shortage can raise costs, especially for rural community hospitals that may not have pharmacy resources to formulate alternatives.

Erin Fox, PharmD, director, Drug Information Service, University of Utah Hospitals and Clinics, says, “We’re working so hard to make the problem invisible [to patients].”

“Until the shortage has completely cleared up, she urges healthcare leadership to be supportive of the clinicians who need additional time to build a plan, and that they understand the cost implications.”