TPN Storage Tips
From ShortGut - Wiki
Refrigerator Maintenance*
Nutrishare recommends that TPN be stored in an individual refrigerator. The general household refrigerator is opened many times each day making it hard to maintain a consistent temperature. Also, food, crumbs, and spills may carry bacteria that could be transferred onto the TPN bags and additive medications. A thermometer should be kept in the refrigerator and a temperature of 40-42 degrees maintained. Rotate the TPN and additive medications using the older supply first. Remember to check expiration dates. The refrigerator should be cleaned at least monthly with household bleach solution: one part bleach to 10 parts water.
Resist the temptation of using this refrigerator for overflow groceries, especially produce. Keeping your refrigerator clean helps reduce the risk of infection and an organized refrigerator will help save time with hook up.
- from Nutrishare's website http://blogs.nutrishare.com/blogs/mariannes_corner/archive/2007/04/23/39.aspx
TPN temperature: A general recommendation is to bring the TPN to room temperature 1 hour to several hours before infusing. Some people may otherwise experience leg cramps, heart arrhythmias, or temperature drops, or feel flu like. Bringing TPN to room temperature may also help avoid air in line. If you need to bring the TPN to room temp. quickly, put the TPN bag inside a ziplock bag and place, seal up, in a bowl of warm water. Do not allow the TPN to become too hot or it will be unhealthy to infuse. Also, do not put the TPN in hot water to try to warm it up too quickly or you can "cook" the TPN - particularly a problem for lipids.
Ordering TPN: Many families find that it reduces stress to schedule TPN deliveries so that they arrive well before they are needed -- that way, any delays in shipping are manageable. For example, MaxMunakata's supplies arrive each Thursday, but aren't needed until Saturday.
