A new multi-center study published in JAMA Pediatrics examines how pediatric emergency departments adapted care during a nationwide intravenous fluid (IVF) shortage triggered by Hurricane Helene. Drawing on data from over 1.1 million ED encounters across 42 hospitals, the study found a notable decline in IVF use during the early phase of the shortage, without a rise in return visits requiring hospitalization. These findings suggest that resource-conserving strategies can be implemented without compromising patient outcomes. UVA Department of Emergency Medicine faculty member Dr. Kathleen Noorbakhsh is a co-author of the study, which underscores the importance of adaptable clinical pathways during critical supply disruptions.
Citation
Diasso-Adamou A, Gonzalez F, Geanacopoulos AT, Neuman MI, Rees CA, Phamduy TT, Chaudhari PP, Bergmann KR, Badaki-Makun O, Shapiro DJ, Eltorki M, Keating EM, Noorbakhsh KA, Ramgopal S. Pediatric Intravenous Fluid Use in the Emergency Department During Hurricane Helene. JAMA Pediatrics. 2025 Jun 23:e251636. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2025.1636. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40549392; PMCID: PMC12186505.