CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) - Local hospitals begin conservation efforts with a low supply of IV fluids nationwide. Baxter International, one of the leading suppliers of IV fluids, closed one of its North Carolina manufacturing plants after Helene left flood damage. The allocations to hospitals is being monitored by local and state officials. "The forecast is very positive, both from our conservation measures," Dr. Megan Baker, COO of Roper St. Francis Healthcare, said. "The current amounts we received from Baxter, the predictions of what they're going to be able to supply, as well as leveraging some partnerships as well as local resources in our state." However, MUSC Health faced a lower amount of supply when they received this week's allotment. "Hence forth, we were only going to get 40% of our weekly allotment," Dr. Patrick Cawley, CEO of MUSC Health, said. "And actually what we got early this morning, we got 80% of that 40%, so we got even less than we were notified." Some officials said they were looking into ways to produce their own IV fluids while Baxter tries to fully catch up on its supply around December. Operations continue to be running normally in the Lowcountry, but Roper St. Francis paused elective surgeries for one day this week. "Because this week appeared to be the riskiest in terms of how much we would receive or not," Baker said. "We were delighted that we received an allocation larger than we anticipated. So, we are able to resume all procedures as previously planned and continue that for the entirety of the week into next week." The conservation measures include limiting the supply to patients who are able to sustain other means of treatment and are non-emergency situations. Medical leaders said they may wait until patients are closer to their procedure to receive IV fluids or use smaller dosages at a time. Lowcountry hospitals are continuing to monitor the IV fluid supply on a daily and weekly basis.