Parenteral Nutrition Utilization

Abstract

Even when normalized for the total number of hospital discharges, the use of PN has more than doubled in that time (0.4% vs 0.94% of total discharges) according to HCUPnet NIS database. In mid-2010 widespread PN component shortages began and continue today with multiple macro- and micronutrient additives being unavailable for months to years. The A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Practice Committee, its PN Drug Shortage Subcommittee, and the Public Policy Committee were interested in determining whether the growth in use of PN for hospitalized patients had continued despite these component shortages. Just recently, the HCUP NIS 2011 data became available and upon review it is clear that PN use has decreased. This becomes particularly striking when the 2011 PN use data are normalized for total discharges (see Figure 2).