Pyrogen contamination of total parenteral nutrition solutions: a case report.

Parenteral nutrition solutions are prepared at The Hospital for Sick Children using a bulk-processing method. The article documents an episode of pyrogen contamination, its detection, investigation and outcome. The source of contamination was found to be specific pieces of the bulk-run equipment which are no longer used. In addition, faulty quality control systems were identified and corrected. Like all intravenous fluids parenteral nutrition solutions can be pyrogenic. Careful preparation and adequate quality control procedures can prevent this problem from occurring. The bulk-processing method can be used to produce large quantities of TPN solutions in a safe and efficient manner.