STHS monitoring contrast dye levels amid global shortage

Newsroom

Newsroom

Search News

Search
More Filters

Friday, May 13, 2022

News

Share this page

STHS monitoring contrast dye levels amid global shortage

STHS Communication Department, commdept@stph.org

St. Tammany Health System CT Tech Mandi Stanga positions a patient for a low-dose CT lung scan. Hospitals around the world are experiencing a shortage of the contrast dye used in many imaging procedures due to the COVID-19 lockdown in China, where most of the world's supply of the dye is made. (Photo by Tim San Fillippo / STHS)

With a global shortage of the contrast dye used in CT scans and other procedures impacting hospitals around the world, St. Tammany Health System is closely monitoring its inventory but at the moment is not cancelling or rescheduling any procedures that require the dye.

Depending on supply levels in coming weeks, however, health system officials said they may have to consider postponing some routine and elective procedures in which contrast dye is used in order to reserve it for emergency patients.

In those cases, patients will be contacted by a health system representative to reschedule their procedure or to schedule a clinically equivalent alternative exam that doesn’t require contrast dye.

The dye shortage, expected to last at least until late June, is the result of supply chain interruptions connected to the COVID-19 lockdown in China, where most of the world’s supply of contrast dye is manufactured.

It has prompted healthcare providers in many areas, including across the United States, to reschedule procedures requiring the dye for non-emergency patients.

If you have further questions about your healthcare, including about the dye shortage, please contact your doctor’s office.

Featured Videos

Video

The Power of Pearl with Covington City Council President,...

Covington City Council President, Mark Verret, joins Healthy Living to talk about the City of Covington’s role in hosting...

Monday, Nov 11, 2024

Video

The Power of Pearl with Covington City Council President,...

Covington City Council President, Mark Verret, joins Healthy Living to talk about the City of Covington’s role in hosting...

Monday, Nov 11, 2024

Video

Get in the Game with St. Tammany UNITED

As October draws to an end, it’s incredible how swiftly time has passed! Today, we celebrated the many achievements of our...

Friday, Nov 1, 2024

Video

Get in the Game with St. Tammany UNITED

As October draws to an end, it’s incredible how swiftly time has passed! Today, we celebrated the many achievements of our...

Friday, Nov 1, 2024

Video

Community Checkup with Joan Coffman for October 2024

As the calendar changes from October to November, President and CEO Joan Coffman catches you up on all that’s going on at...

Thursday, Oct 31, 2024

Video

Community Checkup with Joan Coffman for October 2024

As the calendar changes from October to November, President and CEO Joan Coffman catches you up on all that’s going on at...

Thursday, Oct 31, 2024

Connect