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| What is TPN?? |
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Total Parenteral Nutrition (TPN) is a method of providing a sterile form of liquid nutrients into the blood through an intravenous (IV) catheter. It contains nutrients your body would normally get from food, such as protein, carbohydrate, fat, vitamins, minerals, and water. |
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| Who needs TPN?? |
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Certain diseases, surgeries, and injuries can cause problems with the normal process of digestion and absorption that occurs in the gastrointestinal tract. The stomach or bowel may not be working normally or a person may have had surgery to remove part or all of these organs. Because TPN is given into the blood, it bypasses the gastrointestinal tract.
TPN is only used if other methods to feed into the gastrointestinal tract have failed or are not possible. But in people who need TPN, it can be given for as long as is needed. People can live very well on TPN for many, many years. It can be given to all ages, including infants and children as well as adults.
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| How is TPN given?? |
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TPN is given into a special intravenous (IV) catheter. The catheter is typically placed in a large vein in the chest and can stay in place for a long period of time, if needed. Different kinds of catheters may be used.
In people receiving TPN at home, it is usually given over a 10-12 hour period at night during sleep. It requires an infusion pump to regulate the flow of TPN fluid into the blood.
Proper care of the catheter is required to avoid infection and clotting. For more information on the types of catheters available and how to care for the catheter, contact Nutrishare to receive the Access Device Care Guide educational CD.
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| Who are the Nutrishare Clinicians? |
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The Nutrishare clinicians represent a team of pharmacists, nurses, and dietitians. All of these health care professionals have extensive experiences in caring for consumers on long-term TPN. |
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| Can Nutrishare work with my physician? |
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Nutrishare works well with all different types of physicians including gastroenterologists, surgeons, pediatricians, and internists in caring for the long-term TPN consumer. The relationships have been complimentary and benefit you as the long-term TPN consumer. Specific monitoring processes have been established and routine communication occurs with the physician. |
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| How do I join the Nutrishare Family? |
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It is just a phone call away. Just call 800-HOMETPN, press option #1 and ask to speak with any of the clinicians. |
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| What is a TPN consumer? |
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A TPN consumer is an individual who requires the use of parenteral nutrition to maintain their nutritional status and body composition. |
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| Does Nutrishare work with a wide range of insurers? |
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Nutrishare has successfully worked with a wide variety of insurers with regards to payment for services rendered. |
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| Can Nutrishare provide me services where I live? |
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Nutrishare provides TPN and related supplies for consumers throughout the entire United States. |
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| How will I receive my TPN and supplies? |
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Nutrishare will usually use overnight delivery to insure timely deliveries of your TPN and supplies. |
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| Can I choose my own supplies and infusion pump? |
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Nutrishare is the TPN consumers home infusion pharmacy! We encourage supplies and infusion pumps, which improve your quality of life. We may often suggest alternate products, which are either new developments or offer other features, which may improve your health or quality of life. We continually seek input from the consumer in ultimately determining your supplies or pumps. |
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| How does Nutrishare assist me when traveling? |
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Nutrishare has encouraged and facilitated travel by consumers on long-term TPN. We do not view the desire to travel as an obstacle for consumers. |
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| Is there a nurse or dietitian I can speak with? |
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Nutrishare makes available health care professionals who can address your specific nursing or dietary needs. |
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| Does Nutrishare care for short-term TPN consumers? |
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Nutrishare focuses on the care of the long-term TPN consumer to provide products and services, which contribute to improving your health and quality of life. Although Nutrishare has the ability to care for the short-term TPN consumer, this has not been the focus of our health care team. Once it is determined that long-term TPN is necessary, Nutrishare will be there to meet your needs. |
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| What happens if I may need medications, supplies, or services on an emergent basis? |
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Nutrishare has partnered with local infusion pharmacies and nursing agencies that work with us to provide back up professional services as they are needed. |
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