Following the impact of recent devastating hurricanes, healthcare providers across the U.S. are facing a significant IV fluid shortage. CMA affiliate, COTS, is leading efforts in Central, Southeast, and Southeast Central Ohio to ensure hospitals and healthcare facilities can continue providing essential care despite supply challenges.

COTS is conducting daily supply updates with member hospitals and coordinating supply sharing to meet every institution's needs. Hospitals are using software from the Ohio Department of Health to update their IV supply levels daily. Additionally, healthcare coalition members report their inventory to COTS twice a week.

“Our goal is to ensure that no hospital in our region has to compromise patient care due to a lack of IV supplies,” said Jodi Keller, Director of Healthcare Emergency Preparedness of COTS. “We’re committed to working with our healthcare partners to coordinate resource sharing and promote conservation strategies across the board.” 

Key components of COTS' response include:

• Coordinating IV supply movement: Hospitals and coalition members report shortages directly to COTS, which arranges case-by-case supply transfers across the region.
• Touchpoint meetings: COTS holds daily calls with the zone’s medical director and every-other-day calls with hospital partners to review supplies and discuss conservation strategies.
• Regional coordination: COTS is expanding discussions to include all healthcare coalition members, ensuring conservation practices are equitable and support EMS, congregate care, and other sectors.

By closely monitoring supply levels and coordinating conservation and distribution efforts, COTS is ensuring Central, Southeast, and Southeast Central Ohio’s healthcare providers can continue their mission to care for patients effectively during this challenging time
For more information about the national IV fluid shortage and conservation strategies, read more here or visit the COTS website.