Riverside Health System and Sentara Healthcare, along with many U.S. and global health systems, are being affected by the worldwide shortage of injectable contrast solutions. Intravenous contrast solution is used in certain medical imaging tests, primarily in some types of CT scans, and many medical procedures involving the heart and blood vessels.
Due to the worsening COVID-19 crisis in China and recent lockdowns, one of the world’s top contrast production and manufacturing facilities in Shanghai was forced to temporarily shut down. While the facilities have since reopened, GE Healthcare, one of the major suppliers of contrast media, informed customers that the impact of the shortage is expected to last for the next few months.
At this time, both Riverside and Sentara are monitoring and managing their supply and continuing to schedule appointments. There will be no impact to lifesaving health services for their community members. They are working closely with their vendors and are opt...