ABSTRACT
The planning of a pharmaceutical total parenteral nutrition (TPN) service requires that careful thought be given to the various aspects of its establishment. There are four major areas to consider when planning pharmaceutical services for the preparation and delivery of TPN solutions. These include facilities for storage and manufacture of solutions, equipment needs, personnel needs and cost. The preparation of these infusions demands strict sterile manufacturing techniques which cannot be carried out satisfactorily unless suitable manufacturing facilities are available for this purpose. There should be suitable facilities for handwashing and for cleaning equipment, with a supply of apyrogenic distilled water for rinsing containers and equipment. Space requirements will also vary with the particular method used for the preparation of TPN solutions. Basically the laminar air-flow hood is the most important and expensive piece of equipment, particularly when solutions are prepared individually, usually on a daily basis.
