Preparing for drug shortages: One teaching hospital's approach to the IVIGshortage

Drug shortages present a serious dilemma for healthcare organizations. To s uccessfully manage drug shortage situations, organizations need to have a s tandardized, rational process in place. This article discusses the clinical , ethical, and legal processes behind the development of a strategy to mana ge limited supplies of a intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), Although the ex ample is specific, the approach presented can be applied by other healthcar e organizations to address other impending drug shortage situations.