Technical Services

Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN)

The TPN service is provided based on a multidisciplinary team approach. A dietician assesses patients requiring nutritional support on a daily basis. For the majority of patients 'base bags' will be issued which will provide all the essential requirements. Vitamins, trace elements and electrolytes will be added for long term patients only (10 days or more). Individually tailored bags will be prepared under exceptional circumstances if clinical need indicates such requirements.

The dietician should be informed of any new patient requiring TPN as early as possible each day (before 11.30am on Fridays). If TPN is required for a patient during the weekend or outside normal working hours (8.30am to 5.00pm) standard 'base bag' regimens are available ('Kabiven 9': 1700kcal/ 9gN, 'Kabiven 11': 1900kcal/ 11gN and 'Kabiven 14': 2300kcal/ 14g N)

Individually tailored bags will be prepared for all neonatal and paediatric requirements (Monday- Friday)

Cytotoxics

All Cytotoxic agents for parenteral administration are supplied to wards in a ready to use form (usually presented in a syringe or as an infusion bag). This is to ensure compliance with Health and Safety Regulations relating to the exposure of staff handling these agents. Only those staff specifically trained to administer cytotoxic preparations can utilise this service.

Complex chemotherapy is prescribed on specialised prescription forms. Some limited forms of chemotherapy are permitted on normal ward prescription cards.

Due to the complex nature of preparing these items we require at least two hours notification if a cytotoxic agent is required.

Extemporaneous Preparations

The majority of medicinal products used within the Trust are commercially available from pharmaceutical companies. However, occasionally an item is required that cannot be purchased. The range of items that can be made in our production unit includes creams/ointments, liquid formulations of certain products, eye drops and intravitreal injections.

Most requested items can be made the same day; however, a minimum of at least 2 hours notice needs to be given (including intravitreal injections).

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