Fluid Crisis Management: Intravenous Fluid Conservation Strategies and Outcomes After a Natural Disaster

Area of Science:

• Healthcare management
• Perioperative medicine
• Fluid therapy

Background:

• Hurricane Helene caused significant damage to an intravenous fluid manufacturing plant.
• This led to a critical need for fluid conservation in healthcare institutions.
• Many facilities delayed elective procedures to preserve essential fluid supplies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a perioperative intravenous fluid conservation strategy implemented at a tertiary care institution.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of this strategy across five perioperative sites, primarily outpatient cases.
• To assess the impact of fluid conservation on patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Main Methods:

• A perioperative intravenous fluid conservation strategy was developed and initiated.
• The strategy was applied across five distinct perioperative settings.
• Data on intravenous fluid utilization, hemodynamic stability, postoperative nausea and vomiting, and recovery times were collected and analyzed.

Main Results:

• Perioperative fluid conservation resulted in a 68% reduction in intravenous fluid utilization within one month.
• No significant differences were observed in intraoperative hemodynamic instability compared to the prior three months.
• Postoperative nausea and vomiting rates and patient recovery times remained similar to baseline levels.

Conclusions:

• Perioperative intravenous fluid conservation is a viable and effective strategy during supply shortages.
• This approach can significantly reduce fluid utilization without compromising patient safety or quality of care.
• The strategy is applicable to various perioperative settings, including those with predominantly outpatient cases.