Starter tpn

[nicumom]

I was wondering what your policy is for warming starter Tpn. Some units I worked in leave them on the counter to warm, others allowed the bag to be warmed between blankets in a blanket warmer.

Ours ts comes up from pharmacy freezing cold....how does your facilities warm it before administration?

TIA

[IVRUS, BSN, RN]

It should never be given cold of course, but rather set in a clean dry area of the med room where it can come to room temperature. Most guidelines state it should be removed from the refrig an hour per liter. So, a two liter bag to be hung at 2PM should be out of the frig at noon. ( Never put it in a warm water bath, or the microwave, or between your thighs!)

[nicumom]

Thanks for your reply. That is what I have done in the past, but I wasn't sure if this was the "best practice." I looked online at nanns message board and didn't find anything. Thanks again !!!

[TiffyRN, BSN, PhD]

( Never put it in a warm water bath, or the microwave, or between your thighs!)

Love this! I've never heard of it. Used to see nurses stick the surfactant vial "between the girls" in anticipation of a tiny delivery. Then the reps told us we absolutely shouldn't be warming it.