Hospitals and States Push for Safer IV Bags

In the U. S., there's a growing push to remove a harmful chemical from IV bags and tubing. This chemical, called DEHP, is used to make plastic flexible. It's been linked to serious health issues, including cancer. Yet, it's still widely used in medical equipment.

Hospitals Taking Action

Recently, more hospitals are starting to understand the risks of DEHP. They're taking steps to switch to safer alternatives. For example, Common Spirit, a large hospital system, has promised to stop using DEHP in their IV bags and tubing.

The Dangers of DEHP

The dangers of DEHP are well-known. It's even banned in children's toys. But it's still found in hospital equipment. DEHP can leak out of IV bags and into the medicine given to patients. This can cause drug resistance and make cancer treatments less effective. It also poses risks to newborns and pregnant women.

Lawmakers Take Action

Lawmakers are also taking action. This year, North Carolina became the second state to ban DEHP, following California. Pennsylvania is considering a similar law.

Manufacturers Respond

Manufacturers are starting to respond to this pressure. Baxter, the largest IV supplier in the U. S., has agreed to phase out DEHP. However, they plan to continue using it until 2035. This is despite warnings from the FDA about the risks of DEHP, especially for vulnerable patients.

Baxter says they offer non-DEHP products and are working to phase out DEHP completely by 2035. They also mention that they use DEHT, an alternative to DEHP, in their products. However, critics argue that Baxter could do more to protect patients and the environment.

The Fight Continues

The fight for safer IV bags and tubing is far from over. While there's progress, there's still a long way to go to ensure that all patients are protected from the harmful effects of DEHP.