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IV Fluid Challenges

The Department is actively monitoring the IV fluid challenges and would like to remind EMS to be mindful about use:

  1. We remind you to only spike and hang IV fluid bags when the patient's condition clearly indicates to do so and discuss with medical control if you are unsure.

  2. Establish saline locks rather than running fluids when appropriate.

  3. Ambulances may carry smaller IV fluid bags in greater quantities as an acceptable manner to stock IV fluids.

We ask that critical shortages and no ability to resupply, which may interrupt the ability to deliver patient care, be shared with your Health and Medical Coordinating Coalition (HMCC), who will also be the pathway to critical resource requests. The HMCCs are Department contracted to support cross-disciplinary planning and response including coordination of urgent and emergent resource requests – these groups will not replace your current vendors and supplies but will work across the health care continuum in a region to identify if other entities have any resources to share during times of emergencies. You can use the following resource to find out which HMCC covers your agency: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/learn-about-the-health-and-medical-coordinating-coalitions.

The Department is maintaining communication with federal partners and the HMCCs. Please ensure that your EMS agencies are communicating with supply officers and distributors to confirm the availability of IV fluids and explore alternative suppliers if necessary.

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