Sanford Health Adapting to Shortage of Medical Supplies

Griffin says doctors anticipate the IV shortage will be solved by spring

FARGO, N.D. — The hurricanes in Puerto Rico, Florida and Texas and wildfires across California are taking their toll on the medical industry.

Major medical supply manufacturers are stationed in some of those locations and the natural disasters have now created a shortage of things like IV’s.

It’s even affected places like Sanford Health here in Fargo.

Doctors at Sanford say they’ve tried to adapt to the shortage by issuing oral medications and fluids when they can which does have benefits to it.

“For example, if they switched over to oral medication rather than needing IV medication and they’re stable enough, they can go home,” said Dr. Doug Griffin, Sanford Health’s Medical Officer. “If they still need an IV, it’s for the most part, given in the hospital.”

Griffin says doctors anticipate the IV shortage will be solved by spring.