As a nursing student, I’ve been closely following the recent IV fluid shortage triggered by the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and see it firsthand in my line of work. This situation has demonstrated the critical importance of supply chain management in healthcare and its direct impact on patient care.
Intravenous (IV) fluids are essential for treating dehydration, administering medications, administering blood, and providing nutrition to patients. The disruption caused by the hurricane has led to significant shortages, leaving many hospitals struggling to meet their patients' needs and resorting to other ways to hydrate patients. This can result in delays in treatment, increased patient risk, and heightened stress on healthcare teams.
Through my education, I have learned about the vital role that nurses play in crisis situations. Adaptability and resourcefulness are key qualities that I am developing as I prepare for a career in nursing. As noted in a recent article, This emphasizes that even nurses, aids, and students, all have the potential to step into leadership roles by fostering collaboration and supporting our peers.
Nursing students can show leadership by staying informed about the current situation, actively participating in discussions with faculty and fellow students, and volunteering to assist in disaster relief. Disasters like these can lead to "power outages, water shortages, road damage, and communication system interruptions, which can severely disrupt healthcare delivery" (Salam et al., 2023). By advocating for our patients and offering innovative solutions, we can contribute to active patient care and educate on the importance of these supply chain disruptions.
There are many other ways that we, as nursing students, can demonstrate leadership during disasters. Hospitals often have an influx of patients when disaster strikes which leads to an increased demand of blood and IV fluids. As future healthcare professionals, we have a unique opportunity to lead by example. We can encourage our peers, families, and communities to participate in blood drives and donation events. Sharing information about how and where to donate, as well as the importance of regular donations, can help raise awareness and mobilize support.
Additionally, this crisis highlights the need for stronger advocacy in our profession. As future nurses, we should be educated on the implications of supply chain disruptions and advocate for policies that enhance the resilience of our healthcare systems.
#disasterrelief #healthcarechallenges #IVfluidshortage #blooddonation
Salam, A., et al., (2023, July 6). The impact of natural disasters on healthcare and surgical services in low- and middle-income countries. Annals of medicine and surgery (2012). https://lnkd.in/epAiFMed
Edward Ubaike, MS, PMP, NRP…I have a few ideas…thoughts?