Question 1

What is TPN?

Accepted Answer

TPN stands for Total Parenteral Nutrition, and it provides patients with macro and micro nutrients, which include fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals through a vein in the body,

Question 2

If I want Kaup Pharmacy IV to prepare my TPN, what do I have to do?"

Accepted Answer

Thank you for choosing Kaup Pharmacy to prepare your TPN. We understand every situation is different and everyone requires personalized care with a TPN. Once you contact Kaup Pharmacy, our intake coordinator and pharmacist will work with you and your physician and keep you informed throughout the intake process. 
 
Contact Kaup Pharmacy TPN the following ways:   
Call: 1-800-686-2314 ext 4
Email: KaupIV@KaupPharmacy.com
Or inform your Healthcare provider to contact Kaup Pharmacy IV.

Question 3

Why Kaup Pharmacy?

Accepted Answer

Thank you for considering Kaup Pharmacy as your TPN provider. Our team of clinicians work with your healthcare provider to develop a personalized care plan based on your needs. The team continously monitors your labs, and as your nutritional needs change, we tailor your TPN formula based on your precise needs. 
 
We are also a full-service pharmacy, from pharmaceutical items to medical equipment. You can come to us for any of the following services and expertise: 
Full-service Retail Pharmacy
Medical Equipment and Oxygen 
IV Services/ Sterlie Compounding
Non-Sterile Compounding
Respiratory and Sleeping devices: CPAP, BiPAP

Question 4

Will you work with my physician?

Accepted Answer

The Kaup Pharmacy TPN team will work with your physician and continuously keep your healthcare team informed. 
We work with the following individuals and agencies: 
- Physicians
- Home Health Agencies
- Long term and rehab hospitals
- Surgery Centers
- Assisted Living Facilities 
- Skilled Nursing Facilities

Question 5

Is TPN covered by Insurance?

Accepted Answer

Our intake coordnator will find out what is covered by your insurance and will let you know any out of pocket costs prior to start of administration.

Question 6

Do you bill Medicare, Medicaid and Insurance?"

Accepted Answer

Kaup Pharmacy can bill directly to Medicare, Medicaid and in network insurance companies, like Anthem and United Healthcare. Kaup Pharmacy IV advocates for you with your insurance or payor. Our reimbursement specialist will handle the insurance verification so you don't have to, enabling you to begin therapy as soon as possible.

Question 7

What is a prior authorization?

Accepted Answer

Many insurance companies want to know ahead of time when someone will be on TPN and require individuals to meet requirements prior to start of care. Kaup Pharmacy will work with you, the physician and the insurance company.

Question 8

Do you provide TPN where I live?

Accepted Answer

If TPN is needed in Ohio or Indiana, you can call Kaup Pharmacy at 1-800-686-2314 ext 4 to obtain more information.

Question 9

What supplies are needed for a TPN?

Accepted Answer

TPN supplies may include:
. Sterile gloves
. Alcohol wipes
. Normal Saline flushes
. Heparin flushes, if ordered
. Needles
. Syringes
. TPN bag
. IV (intravenous)J tubing
. IV pole, optional
. Infusion pump
. Special container (sharps container) to throw out used needles. You can buy a sharps container at a pharmacy or medical supply store. You can also use an empty laundry detergent bottle, or any other puncture-proof container and lid.

Question 10

How long have you had Kaup Pharmacy IV Department?

Accepted Answer

Jerry Kaup, RPh and his wife, Lorraine Kaup, RPh opened a retail pharmacy in 1980 in Fort Recovery, OH.
The owners determination, drive and interest in IV led them to open an IV division in 1990. Their first patient in the IV division was a pediatric TPN patient. Today, the IV facility is operated from a facility with a positive air pressure HEPA filtered sterile clean room for preparing compounds and intravenous solutions.
* In compliance with USP 797 and USP 800.

Question 11

Do you prepare TPNs for all ages?

Accepted Answer

Pediatric to Adult, the Kaup Pharmacy IV Team can prepare TPNs for all ages.

Question 12

Are you compliance with USP 797 and USP 800?

Accepted Answer

Kaup Pharmacy IV is in compliance with USP 797 and USP 800.

Question 13

What is The Joint Commission Accrediation?

Accepted Answer

Kaup Pharmacy holds The Home Care Accreditation Gold Seal of Approval by demonstrating continuous compliance of performance standards and a commitment to providing safe and quality patient care.

Question 14

Caring for TPN Solution at Home

Accepted Answer

- Keep your TPN solution refrigerated when not in use.
- Check the label on the bag to make sure it matches your prescription exactly. Don't use the bag if it does not match the prescription. 
- Check the expiration date. Don't use the solution if it is past the expiration date. Get a new bag from the refrigerator.
- Check the bag for problems. These include leaks, cloudiness, or things floating in it. Don't use the bag if you see any of these things. Get a new bag from the reftigerator.
- Warm the TPN solution by leaving it at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. Never put the bag in the microwave. If you need to warm the solution quickly, put the bag in the sink and run warm (not hot) water over it.

Question 15

When to seek medical care.

Accepted Answer

Call your nurse or doctor right away if you experience any of the following:
- Excessive thirst
- Upset stomach (nausea) or vomiting
- Weakness or shakiness; fainting or feeling faint
- Sweating
- Headache
- Belly (abdominal) pain
- Sudden weight loss or gain (more than 2 pounds in 24 hours)
- Fever or shaking chills
- Redness, swelling or warmth at your insertion site
- Drainage or pus from your insertion site
- Shortness of breath, heart palpitations, or any chest pain

Question 16

What are the different types of lV lines used to give nutrition?

Accepted Answer

Central line: The catheter is placed into a vein in the neck or chest. This allows nutrients to be delivered to the large blood vessels leading into the heart.
 
Peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) line: This type of line is placed into a vein in your arm. The line is gently threaded through the vein up to one of the large blood vessels leading into the heart.

Question 17

How do I prepare my work area to administer TPN?

Accepted Answer

Choose a work area away from household traffic. Keep pets and children out of the room. Don't work in the bathroom. It has too many germs. Collect your supplies. 
 
How to clean your work area:
- Clean washable surfaces with soap and water. Dry the surface with a paper towel.
- Wipe and dust off surfaces that are not washable, such as wood. Spread a clean cloth or paper towels over the surface.
- If you need to cough or sneeze, move away from the clean surface.

Question 18

What are TPN steps?

Accepted Answer

Step 1. Clean your work area
- Wash your hands with soap and water.
-  Clean your work area with alcohol. Dry with a paper towel.
-  Wash your hands with soap and water again.
-  Put on sterile gloves before touching any supplies.
 
Step 2. Check the TPN bag
- Check the label on the TPN bag to make sure it matches your prescription.
- Check the expiration date. Don't use the solution if it's expired. Instead, get a new bag.
- Check the bag for problems, such as leaks, cloudiness, or floating particles. Don't use the bag if you see any of these. Instead, get a new bag.
- Allow the TPN solution to warm up by leaving it at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. If you need to warm the solution quickly, put the bag in the sink and run warm (not hot) water over it. Do not try to warm up the bag in the microwave.
- Place the TPN bag on the clean surface in your work area.
 
Step 3. Prepare the TPN bag
- Add any additional medications or vitamins to the bag.
- Clamp the tubing.
-  Make sure the pump is in the STOP/OFF mode.
-  Load the IV tubing into the pump.
 
Step 4. Prepare the syringe to flush the catheter
- If you're using pre-filled saline or heparin syringes, skip this section.
- Clean the rubber top of the saline vial with an alcohol wipe.
- Attach the needle or blunt end tip to the syringe. Be careful not to touch the opening.
- Fill the syringe with 10 mL of air.
- Stick the needle or blunt end tip of the syringe into the rubber top of the saline vial.
- Push air into the vial.
- With the needle or blunt end tip ofthe syringe still in the vial, turn the vial upside down.
- Pull back the plunger to withdraw 10 mL of saline.
- Be sure to keep the needle or blunt end tip of the syringe below the fluid level.
- Check for air bubbles. Hold the syringe straight up and tap the barrel of the syringe. The bubbles should go to the top of the syringe. Gently push the plunger to remove any air bubbles. Draw back if more saline is needed in the syringe.
- Put the syringe and vial down on your clean work surface.
- Repeat with the heparin vial.
 
Step 5. Flush the catheter
- Clean the port on the end of the catheter with an alcohol wipe.
- Remove the needle or blunt end tip from the saline-filled syringe. Put it in the sharps container.
- Connect the syringe to your port.
- Push the plunger slowly and gently, so that the normal saline goes into the port. Check that there's no resistance.
- Disconnect the syringe.
- Clean the port again with an alcohol wipe.
- Repeat with the heparin-filled syringe, if ordered.
 
Step 6. Connect the TPN bag to start infusion
- Connect the IV tubing fi'om the TPN bag to the port on the end of the catheter.
- Open the clamp on the IV tubing.
- Turn the pump to START/ON.
 
Step 7. Disconnect the TPN bag after infusion
- Wash your hands with soap and water. Put on a new pair of sterile gloves.
- Turn the pump to STOP/OFF.
- Disconnect the IV tubing from the port.
- Clean the port with an alcohol wipe.
- Repeat the steps above ("Prepare the syringe" and "Flush the catheter")
- Discard any used syringes in the sharps container.
- Clean the port again with an alcohol wipe.
- Loop and tape your IV catheter to the chest or arm as instructed by your nurse.

Question 19

What other services do you provide?

Accepted Answer

Kaup Pharmacy is a full -service pharmacy and can assist you in achieving your optimum quality of life. Come to us fo rthe following services and expertise: 
- Full-service retail pharmacy
- Medical Equipment and Oxygen
- Sterile Compounding
- Non-Sterile Compouning
- Respiratory and sleeping devices: CPAP and BiPAP

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