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.