Drug Shortages: US Health System Impact Report
US hospitals are facing a crisis: record-high drug shortages are crippling patient care, with pediatric facilities bearing the brunt. A new report reveals the staggering impact,from increased costs and staffing burdens to critical communication gaps. Hospitals are spending millions and dedicating millions of hours to manage these disruptions to the healthcare ecosystem. This News Directory 3 analysis uncovers the specific medications most affected,the rise in medication errors,and the vital need for supply chain improvements to combat these challenges,and what steps are being taken to counteract them. Discover what’s next in addressing this critical issue.
Drug Shortages Plague US Healthcare, Impacting Pediatric Care
A new survey reveals that US healthcare facilities are grappling with an unprecedented surge in drug shortages, creating important challenges, especially in pediatric settings. The 2024 Vizient study highlights the escalating financial strain, increased staffing demands, and disruptions to patient care caused by these shortages.
Hospitals nationwide are dedicating an estimated 20 million hours annually to manage these shortages, incurring nearly $900 million in labor costs. This represents a doubling of the impact reported in 2019, according to the survey. The report also underscores critical communication gaps, emphasizing the need for earlier and more transparent notifications regarding product availability.
The number of active drug shortages reached a record high of 323 in the first quarter of 2024. Managing these shortages has become an ongoing, labor-intensive process that stretches already limited resources, according to the Vizient report.
Pediatric facilities are particularly vulnerable, monitoring at least 25% more shortages than general hospitals. This heightened vulnerability underscores the unique challenges in specialized care settings.
the financial strain is evident, with 74% of respondents reporting that drug shortages caused them to exceed their pharmacy budgets.Pediatric facilities experienced this more frequently, with 79% citing budget overruns, compared with 72% of general facilities. Lorazepam injectables and oncology agents were frequently cited as high-impact drugs.
the human cost of managing these shortages has also escalated dramatically. Pharmacy staff now spend an average of 24.2 hours per week managing shortages, more than double the 10.5 hours reported in 2019.
In response to the increased burden,98% of pediatric facilities reported making staffing changes,compared with 83% of general facilities.Many facilities redistributed workload among existing staff,while others offered overtime or hired additional personnel.
Almost half of the facilities surveyed (46%) reported purchasing at least one molecule from a secondary distributor, including critical medications such as cisplatin, carboplatin, and fluorouracil. These purchases came at an average price increase of approximately 214% compared with standard purchasing practices.
The survey revealed that 43% of respondents identified medication errors related to drug shortages, a rise from 38% in 2019. Patient care disruptions were most prevalent in outpatient infusion services, where 41% of patient cases were omitted, missed, or delayed.
Communication issues, particularly the demand for earlier, more transparent notifications and accurate product release dates, were identified as the most pressing need.Respondents also called for improved allocation management by wholesalers,increased medication production,and better oversight of the entire supply chain and secondary distributors.
What’s next
Vizient is enhancing drug shortage management through data-driven insights, collaborations, and new frameworks. Key advancements include promoting drug shortage stewardship and revamping the Essential Medications List to include demand planning and market resiliency.