The US is facing a severe shortage of intravenous (IV) fluids, with the recent Hurricane Helene exacerbating a pre-existing crisis. The closure of Baxter International’s North Carolina plant, which produces 60% of the country’s IV fluids, has left hospitals scrambling for essential supplies. The shortage is impacting patient care, forcing hospitals to postpone elective surgeries and causing concern for medical device manufacturers and hospital operators. Despite government intervention, the situation remains precarious, with Baxter projecting only 90% of customer needs to be met by year-end.