Medical community may be unaware of a hidden risk in IVs, leaving patients in the dark

By: LISA FLETCHER | ANDREA NEJAMAN | NATHAN AARON | Spotlight on America.
Spotlight on America is continuing our in-depth investigation into a patient safety issue that has gone largely unaddressed despite growing evidence of harm. The IV bag industry has long known about the dangers of a popular chemical in its products, but it's still on the market and patients are blind to the risks. Now, new emphasis is being placed on raising awareness among those in the medical community.
DEHP, a chemical used to make plastic flexible, has been banned from kids' toys since 2008. It's tied to a laundry list of health issues, including cancer and developmental issues. But it's used to make IV bags and tubes and leaches out of the equipment into the veins of vulnerable patients. But, Price said, it's there simply because it's allowed to be. Some estimates claim DEHP is still used in 70% of IV equipment in the US. Price attributed the continued use of DEHP to the slow pace of change within large hospital systems. "The 'why' I think, is because hospitals are big bureaucratic systems and change takes time," she said. But some have been proactive. Kaiser Permanente is one of the few healthcare systems that eliminated DEHP from its products in 2012. Elizabeth Eldridge, who identifies risky supplies for Kaiser, emphasized the scientific evidence against DEHP. "The science is very strong, which makes the ability to make a business case for this very strong," said Eldridge. A new survey of nurses nationwide, conducted by the publication Nursing Beat for B. Braun, one of the largest makers of DEHP-free products, revealed that only 25% of those surveyed are aware of the risks posed by DEHP.
Eldridge stressed the importance of educating doctors about these risks, noting that increased awareness among physicians could drive significant change. Despite the known dangers, it is difficult to gauge the awareness level of hospital administrators, procurement staff, doctors and nurses. We asked 25 top hospital systems and cancer centers about their use of DEHP-containing IVs and got zero responses, suggesting either a reluctance to admit usage or a lack of awareness. When we did our first survey six months ago, the only system to respond was Sloan-Kettering, which told us it “always” considers the presence of DEHP, and its main supplier is the leading DEHP-free manufacturer.
In the absence of hospitals universally demanding IVs without DEHP, some lawmakers are alert to the issue. California passed a ban on DEHP last year, and Pennsylvania is working on similar legislation. Senior U.S. Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro criticized the lack of regulatory action by the FDA. In 2021, several members of Congress urged the FDA to regulate DEHP and launch an awareness campaign for healthcare workers, but no additional action has been taken. For now, critical lines of defense are leaving patients unguarded and manufacturers unaccountable. "They cannot be allowed to get away with it," said DeLauro.
The FDA has not responded to inquiries regarding its inaction on DEHP in IV bags.

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