Surgeries at Australian hospitals could be cancelled as soon as next week due to an "unprecedented" shortage of intravenous fluids. or signup to continue reading Australian Medical Association president Professor Steve Robson warned supply concerns in all states and territories could have bigger implications than COVID restrictions. Manufacturing issues and unexpected increases in demand are behind the global shortage of multiple intravenous fluid products, according to the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Intravenous fluids are common medications that contain saline and sometimes other additives used in both routine and critical medical care such as surgery or resuscitation. Several state health departments have warned of supply disruptions, including over critical shortages that could last two or three from mid-July. Professor Robson said imminent shortages from next week flagged by local health authorities are yet to be experienced, but they could have huge implications across the health sector.
"The health system potentially could come to a grinding halt next week if intravenous fluid isn't available," he told AAP on Friday. The surgeon said he was scheduled to perform procedures next week but they would not go ahead if he did not have intravenous fluids. "That would affect every surgeon, every anaesthetist and every patient awaiting surgery in the country; that has potentially bigger implications than the COVID restrictions," he said.
"COVID restrictions were around sta.