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Hurricane-related IV fluid shortage might harm medical gadget makers

A shortage of intravenous (IV) saline fluids due to Typhoon Helene is forcing health centers to defer nonurgent surgical treatments, and could hurt business that make medical gadgets for elective procedures if the supply crunch continues, analysts said.

Baxter International's North Carolina plant, which makes 60% of the country's supply of IV fluids and some secret dialysis services, was closed for production late last month due to hurricane-related flooding.

Ever since, health centers have actually delayed optional surgical treatments even as the U.S. federal government, Baxter and other suppliers have actually rushed to bring in supplies from other centers, including from overseas. Baxter has stated it anticipates to meet 90% of customer requirements by year end.

The huge concern for medical device makers is how quickly the scarcity can be dealt with, said Barclays analyst Matt Miksic in an interview.

If solved soon, whatever gets pushed out of this quarter will likely get gotten the following quarter in terms of postponed surgeries, stated Miksic. We would not anticipate at this point (a) significant. sustaining impact on the stocks.

J&J ended up being the first medical device business to flag a. possible hit on Tuesday, when it alerted that the IV saline. scarcities might affect surgical procedures throughout its portfolio. if they continue.

Throughout a surgery, patients are administered a normal saline. solution or a type of IV fluid called Lactated Ringer's to. replenish lost fluids.

Germany's Fresenius and medtech business B. Braun Medical. said last week they were increase production of IV fluids to. reduce the scarcity.

Gadget makers including Boston Scientific, Edwards. Lifesciences, Medtronic and Stryker, and. health center operators such as HCA Health Care and Tenet. Health care are most likely to deal with questions about the. prospective effect from the lack when they report revenues in. the coming weeks.

Baxter is expected to report its quarterly earnings on Nov. 8.

Considered that the scarcity is not anticipated to last too long,. the impact on health center operators and other providers ought to be. modest in the 4th quarter, Jefferies analyst Brian Tanquilut. stated in a Wednesday research note.

Morningstar analyst Julie Utterback said the recent storms. could be a short-term concern for HCA, and do not normally. change the long-lasting outlook for such health center operators.

(source: Reuters)