Standard Parenteral Nutrition Research Articles

Impact of parenteral nutrition standardization on costs and quality in adult patients.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a costly therapy that can also be associated with serious complications. Therefore, efforts are focusing on reducing rate of complications, and costs related to PN. The aim was to analyze the effect of the implementation of PN standardization on costs and quality criteria. Secondary aim was to assess the use of individualized PN based on patient's clinical condition. We compare the use of PN before and after the implementation of PN standardization. Demographic, clinical and PN characteristics were collected. Costs analysis was performed to study the costs associated to the two different periods. Quality criteria included were: 1) PN administration; 2) nutrition assessment (energy intake between 20-35 kcal/kg/day; protein contribution according to nitrogen balance); 3) safety and complications (hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, hepatic complications, catheter-related infection); 4) global efficacy (as serum albumin increase). Chi-square test was used to compare percentages; logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the use of customized PN. 296 patients were included with a total of 3,167 PN compounded. During the first period standardized PN use was 47.5% vs 85.7% within the second period (p < 0.05). No differences were found in the quality criteria tested. Use of individualized PN was related to critical care patients, hypertriglyceridemia, renal damage, and long-term PN. Mean costs of the PN decreased a 19.5%. Annual costs savings would be € 86,700. The use of customized or standard PN has shown to be efficient and flexible to specific demands; however customized PN was significantly more expensive.

Avantages et spécificités des préparations hospitalières de nutrition parentérale en néonatalogie

The care of premature infants requires specific, suitable parenteral nutrition, in which the dosage must be frequently adjusted. A comparative analysis of four industrial standard parenteral nutrition formulations NP 100®, Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 1®, Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 2® and Numetah G13% E® and of two hospital preparations made specifically in hospital pharmacies produced by two separate university hospitals (Nutrine® HCL and Formule standardisée début de nutrition) was conducted. The comparison between the formulations focused on electrolytic compositions and protein/energy ratio. Formule standardisée début de nutrition and Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 1® are free from (i) sodium and potassium, (ii) potassium respectively. Almost equivalent sodium concentration (19-27 mM) and more variable potassium concentration (∼9-26 mM) characterize the other formulations. Protein/energy ratio of Numetah G13% E®, Nutrine® HCL and Formule standardisée début de nutrition is 58% higher than that of NP 100®, Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 1® and Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 2®. Formule standardisée début de nutrition and Pediaven AP-HP Nouveau-né 1® are in accordance with the recommendations about hydro-electrolytic supplies during transition phase. Nutrine® HCL complies best to the recommendations about hydro-electrolytic account during stabilization phase. Hydro-electrolytic composition and protein/energy ratio of standard hospital parenteral nutrition formulations comply best to nutritional needs of premature infants.

PC.114 Audit of Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition in Northern Ireland

The practices and support for delivery of Neonatal Parenteral Nutrition (PN) in Northern Ireland were audited against standards derived from the ESPGHAN guidelines, NCEPOD Report on PN and the NICE...

Phase IV Prospective Clinical Study to Evaluate the Effect of Taurine on Liver Function in Postsurgical Adult Patients Requiring Parenteral Nutrition

Taurine's role in bile acid metabolism and anti-inflammatory activity could exert a protective effect on hepatobiliary complications associated with parenteral nutrition (PN). In this study, the effects of 2 amino acid solutions, with and without taurine, on liver function administered to nonacutely ill postsurgical patients as part of a short-term PN regimen were prospectively compared. Adult patients randomly received (double-blind) Tauramin 10% or a standard PN solution without taurine as the control (1.5 g amino acid/kg body weight [bw]/d; infusion rate of ≤4 mg glucose/kg bw/d) for a period of 5-30 days. γ-Glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and other indicators of liver function, glucose metabolism, lipid profile, inflammation markers, and treatment safety data were collected. Thirty-five patients receiving taurine PN and 39 receiving control PN were enrolled (intention-to-treat [ITT] population). Most patients (n = 62) discontinued after day 7 of follow-up (per-protocol [PP] population: n = 24 and n = 27, respectively). ITT patients with high GGT values after 5 days of PN comprised 68.6% and 64.1%, respectively. The mean change in GGT values with respect to the baseline values was 167 ± 192 and 157 ± 185 IU/L, respectively. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels after 7 days of PN were significantly decreased in the taurine PN group of PP patients (-2.83 ± 30.9 vs 23.9 ± 27.0 mg/dL for control PN; P < .05). None of the adverse events reported (taurine PN: n = 6; control PN: n = 7) were treatment related. PN solutions with and without taurine had similar effects on liver function parameters, except for an LDL reduction in PN with taurine, when administered to nonacutely ill postsurgical patients in the short term (5-7 days).

Investigation for the Effects of Omega Fatty Acid and Glutamine-L-Alanine on Morbidity and Mortality in the Critically ILL Patients after Major Abdominal Surgery

Background &amp; Objectives: This study investigated the effects for the addition of omega 3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine to the standard enteral and/or parenteral nutrition regimen on infection and mortality in the critically ill patients after major abdominal surgery. Methods: This is a prospective, randomized, single center study. A total of 43 patients (age range: 18-85 years), who were in the critical care unit after major abdominal surgery, were included. Patients were divided into two groups according to simple randomized selection [Control group, n=20; Study Group, n=23 (omega3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine)] and were monitored for 21 days. Patients were examined for the assessment of APACHE II Score and existence of ALI (acute lung injury)/ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) requiring mechanical ventilation. In addition to standard enteral or parenteral nutrition, patients in the study group were given parenteral pharmaconutrition products for 10 days postoperatively. Groups were compared for the duration of mechanical ventilation, duration of stay in the intensive care unit and hospitalization, and mortality. Laboratory parameters including CRP, TNF, IL6, IL8, nitrogen balance, albumin, and total lymphocyte count were recorded. Results:Although the mean APACHE score was higher in study group in which patients received omega-3 fatty acids and glutamine-L-alanine support, the clinical infection rate seemed to decrease insignificantly. Conclusions: A clinically decreased rate of infection was observed in patients with a high APACHE II score, or who received omega-3 fatty acids, glutamine-L-alanine, are required to be administered more selectively and in larger patient groups in different doses and in combination protocols in accordance with the current pharmaconutritional support and in different timing combinations, including preoperative period

Early Postnatal Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism in Preterm Infants

Bone mineralisation in preterm infants is related to the supply of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). We increased the amount of minerals in parenteral nutrition (PN) for preterm infants and evaluated postnatal Ca and P metabolism in relation to mineral and vitamin D (vitD) intake. Preterm infants, included on their first day of life, received standard PN, providing a maximum Ca/P intake of 3/1.92 mmol · kg(-1) · day(-1) on day 3. Ca/P content of formula was 2.5/1.6 mmol/dL, and fortified human milk was 2.4/1.95 mmol/dL. PN supplied 80 IU · kg(-1) · day(-1) vitD. Formula and fortified human milk contained 200 IU/dL of vitD. During a 5-week period, serum concentrations and urinary excretion of Ca/P were registered and related to the intake of minerals and vitD. During 12 months, 79 infants (mean gestational age 29.8 ± 2.2 weeks, mean birth weight 1248 ± 371 g) were included. The recommended intake for minerals was achieved by day 5 and for vitD by 4 weeks. Infants developed hypercalcaemia, hypercalciuria, and hypophosphataemia during the first postnatal week, leading to the additional P supplementation in 49 infants. The renal tubular reabsorption of P was >95% until day 9 but decreased <70% after the second week. Alkaline phosphatase was normal at birth, increased to a maximum of 450 IU/L by day 14, and remained above the normal range for the remaining period. Parenteral intake of P appeared to be too low, leading to mineral imbalances in the early postnatal period, and vitD intake was also below recommendations.

The effect of ω-3 fatty acid supplementation in parenteral nutrition on the outcome of patients with sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

To determine whether the supplementation of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) confers treatment benefits to outcomes of septic patients. The databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane central register of controlled trials, the CNKI and the Wanfang biomedicine were searched to identify prospective randomized controlled trials (RCTs) which compared the ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplemented with the standard PN on outcomes of adult patients with sepsis from January 1996 to June 2013. The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated, and the Cochrane Collaboration RevMan 5.0 was used for data analysis. A total of 12 studies enrolling 721 patients were included. Significant reduction in 28-day mortality [relative risk (RR) 0.77, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) 0.59 to 0.99, P=0.04], short intensive care unit [ICU, weighted mean difference (WMD)=-3.10, 95%CI -5.98 to -0.21, P=0.04] and hospital length of stay (WMD=-3.12, 95%CI -4.65 to -1.60, P<0.000 1) were observed in patients receiving ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplemented PN. There was no differences in days of mechanical ventilation between patients with or without adding ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in PN (WMD=1.33, 95%CI -5.09 to 7.75, P=0.69). Meta-analysis results demonstrated that PN supplemented with ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was beneficial in improving the outcomes of patients with sepsis. However, this conclusion must be interpreted with caution due to the low quality of the enrolled trials.

Neonatal Therapeutic Hypothermia‐Associated Hypomagnesemia During Parenteral Nutrition Therapy

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in the neonatal population. Total body cooling in term infants who meet the criteria for moderate to severe HIE has been shown to be neuroprotective. A decreased core body temperature is known to affect kinetic properties of many enzyme systems in which magnesium is a cofactor. Maintenance of magnesium during therapeutic hypothermia appears to play an important role in neuroprotection. Currently, there are no studies evaluating the effects that therapeutic hypothermia in neonates has on serum magnesium levels and implications for parenteral nutrition (PN) management. Our hypothesis was that neonatal hypothermia would result in hypomagnesemia and require magnesium therapy. Laboratory measurement of serum magnesium was obtained in all infants during the cooling process. Serum magnesium was depressed (<1.6 mg/dL) in 80% of the infants cooled despite administration of standard PN and required additional magnesium supplementation. Further studies are needed to determine the target magnesium required for PN in hypothermic therapy.

Composition of personalized and standard nutritional mixtures in patients on home parenteral nutrition

The compounding of personalized parenteral nutrition mixtures (PPNMs) for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) gives the possibility to better satisfy nutritional requirements for patients in selected clinical conditions. The objective of this study was to compare the composition of PPNMs prescribed in selected cases, by a practitioner nutritionist, with that of industrially manufactured standard parenteral nutrition mixtures (SPNMs). Two hundred and ninety-eight patients (151 men, 147 women, aged 17-87 years) on HPN, followed up in 2011 at our Center, were retrospectively recruited. Industrially manufactured SPNMs were prescribed in 230 (77.2%) patients, whereas compounded PPNMs were prescribed in 68 (22.8%). Formulation of PPNMs, adjusted for body weight, did not significantly differ from SPNMs as regards total daily calorie amount, but was significantly different as far as nutrient composition is concerned (P<0.01). Analysis on the daily amount of nutrients per kg of body weight and per patient disease showed that 16/34 (47%) benign chronic intestinal failure (CIF) patients, 47/233 (20%) cancer patients and 5/31 (16%) patients grouped as 'having other diseases' needed personalized mixtures (in PPNMs 4-9 nutrients were significantly different from those in SPNMs). Moreover, in CIF patients receiving PPNMs, frequent changes in the formulation (mean 6 times per year, range 1-28) were necessary. Our data suggest that, presently, PPNMs cannot be completely replaced by SPNMs owing to special needs in macro and/or micronutrients of some patients and/or the necessity of frequent changes in the nutritional mixture composition, at least until stabilization of clinical and metabolic conditions.

Standardized versus custom parenteral nutrition: Impact on clinical and cost-related outcomes

Results of a study comparing clinical and cost outcomes with the use of standardized versus custom-prepared parenteral nutrition (PN) in an acute care setting are reported. In a retrospective pre-post analysis, nutritional target attainment, electrolyte abnormalities, and other outcomes were compared in patients 15 years of age or older who received custom PN (n = 49) or a standardized PN product (n = 57) for at least 72 hours at a large medical center over a 13-month period; overall, 45% of the cases were intensive care unit (ICU) admissions. A time-and-motion assessment was conducted to determine PN preparation times. There were no significant between-group differences in the percentage of patients who achieved estimated caloric requirements or in mean ICU or hospital length of stay. However, patients who received standardized PN were significantly less likely than those who received custom PN to achieve the highest protein intake goal (63% versus 92%, p = 0.003) and more likely to develop hyponatremia (37% versus 14%, p = 0.01). Pharmacy preparation times averaged 20 minutes for standardized PN and 80 minutes for custom PN; unit costs were $61.06 and $57.84, respectively. A standardized PN formulation was as effective as custom PN in achieving estimated caloric requirements, but it was relatively less effective in achieving 90% of estimated protein requirements and was associated with a higher frequency of hyponatremia. The standardized PN product may be a cost-effective formulation for institutions preparing an average of five or fewer PN orders per day.

Supplementation of parenteral nutrition with fish oil attenuates acute lung injury in a rat model

Fish oil rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids has diverse immunomodulatory properties and attenuates acute lung injury when administered in enternal nutrition. However, enteral nutrition is not always feasible. Therefore, we investigated the ability of parenteral nutrition supplemented with fish oil to ameliorate acute lung injury. Rats were infused with parenteral nutrition solutions (without lipids, with soybean oil, or with soybean oil and fish oil) for three days. Lipopolysaccharide (15 mg/kg) was then administered intratracheally to induce acute lung injury, characterized by impaired lung function, polymorphonuclear leukocyte recruitment, parenchymal tissue damage, and upregulation of mRNAs for inflammatory mediators. Administration of parenteral nutrition supplemented with fish oil prior to lung insult improved gas exchange and inhibited neutrophil recruitment and upregulation of mRNAs for inflammatory mediators. Parenteral nutrition supplemented with fish oil also prolonged survival. To investigate the underlying mechanisms, leukotriene B4 and leukotriene B5 secretion was measured in neutrophils from the peritoneal cavity. The neutrophils from rats treated with fish oil-rich parenteral nutrition released significantly more leukotriene B5, an anti-inflammatory eicosanoid, than neutrophils isolated from rats given standard parenteral nutrition. Parenteral nutrition with fish oil significantly reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced lung injury in rats in part by promoting the synthesis of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids.

Cost-effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in parenteral nutrition therapy in hospitals: A discrete event simulation model

A recent meta-analysis showed that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in parenteral nutrition (PN) regimens is associated with a statistically and clinically significant reduction in infection rate, and length of hospital stay (LOS) in medical and surgical patients admitted to the ICU and in surgical patients not admitted to the ICU. The objective of this present study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the addition of omega-3 fatty acids to standard PN regimens in four European countries (Italy, France, Germany and the UK) from the healthcare provider perspective. Using a discrete event simulation scheme, a patient-level simulation model was developed, based on outcomes from the Italian ICU patient population and published literature. Comparative efficacy data for PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids versus standard PN regimens was taken from the meta-analysis of published randomised clinical trials (n = 23 studies with a total of 1502 patients), and hospital LOS reduction was further processed in order to split the reduction in ICU stay from that in-ward stays for patients admitted to the ICU. Country-specific cost data was obtained for Italian, French, German and UK healthcare systems. Clinical outcomes included in the model were death rates, nosocomial infection rates, and ICU/hospital LOS. Probabilistic and deterministic sensitivity analyses were undertaken to test the reliability of results. PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were more effective on average than standard PN both in ICU and in non-ICU patients in the four countries considered, reducing infection rates and overall LOS, and resulting in a lower total cost per patient. Overall costs for patients receiving PN regimens containing omega-3 fatty acids were between €14 144 to €19 825 per ICU patient and €5484 to €14 232 per non-ICU patient, translating into savings of between €3972 and €4897 per ICU patient and savings of between €561 and €1762 per non-ICU patient. Treatment costs were completely offset by the reduction in hospital stay costs and antibiotic costs. Sensitivity analyses confirmed the robustness of these findings. These results suggest that the supplementation of PN regimens with omega-3 fatty acids would be cost effective in Italian, French, German and UK hospitals.

Commercially Premixed 3-Chamber Bags for Pediatric Parenteral Nutrition Are Available for Hospitalized Children

Hospitalized children are vulnerable to malnutrition during serious illness or recovery from injury and are at subsequent risk of increased morbidity and growth retardation. In cases in which enteral nutrition is not possible, parenteral nutrition (PN) can be used to ensure that patients at nutritional risk receive appropriate amounts of macro- and micronutrients. Nutritional needs cannot be met by 1 standard PN formulation in pediatric patients (term to 18 y) because of the wide range of needs according to age, weight, degree of maturity, and disease state. Preparation of individualized PN is associated with several limitations, including prescribing errors, stability issues, and risk of infection. These risks may be avoided by the availability of a range of pediatric PN formulations provided as commercial premixed 3-chamber bags (3-CBs). These 3-CBs were developed in conjunction with experienced neonatologists and pediatricians in accordance with international guidelines. A prospective study has previously shown the practical handling and ease of use of 2 formulations of these 3-CBs, 1 designed for term infants and toddlers up to 2 y of age and 1 for children and adolescents aged 2–18 y. The majority of pharmacists and nurses described the 3-CB as easy to use and favored it over individual bottles, bags compounded on the ward, ready-to-use compounded bags, and premixes prepared by the pharmacy and tailored to patient needs. These formulations offer a means of improving the quality of care in hospital pediatric units, particularly in the absence of a nutrition support team.

Perioperative Immunonutrition in Surgical Cancer Patients: A Summary of a Decade of Research

BackgroundImmunonutrition is assumed to enhance immune system function. In surgical patients, it is supposed to reduce postoperative complications. However, results of recent clinical trials have been puzzling and have not supported this theory.AimThe aim of our study was to evaluate the value of enteral and parenteral postoperative immunonutrition.MethodsAfter initial evaluation of 969 patients, the intent-to-treat analysis included 776 patients (female 407, male 466, mean age 61.1 years) undergoing gastric or pancreatic resections between 2001 and 2009. All patients were randomly assigned after surgery to one of the following groups: standard enteral nutrition (SEN), immunomodulating enteral nutrition (IMEN), standard parenteral nutrition (SPN), or immunomodulating parenteral nutrition (IMPN). All malnourished patients received preoperative parenteral nutrition. Number and type of postoperative complications, length of hospitalization (length of stay [LOS]), and vital organ function were assessed.ResultsNo statistically significant differences were observed in well-nourished patients, during either enteral or parenteral intervention, independent of the type of intervention (standard or immunomodulating). However, analysis of the malnourished group revealed the positive impact of enteral immunonutrition on reduction of postoperative complications (28.3 vs. 39.2 %, respectively; p = 0.043) and LOS (17.1 and 13.1 days, respectively; p < 0.05) compared with a standard enteral diet. The cross-analysis of SEN, IMEN, SPN, and IMPN was insignificant.ConclusionsThe type of postoperative nutrition was of no importance in well-nourished patients. However, in malnourished patients, enteral immunonutrition helped to improve treatment outcome. These findings suggest its use as a method of choice during the postoperative period.

Glutamine supplementation in preterm infants receiving parenteral nutrition leads to an early improvement in liver function.

The aim of study was to confirm the protective effects of parenteral glutamine supplementation on liver injury in premature infants and determine how quickly effects became evident. We performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical study to assess the effect of parenteral nutrition (PN) supplemented with glutamine in premature infants. Thirty infants from two children's centers, were randomly assigned to either a control group (Standard PN; n=15) or a glutamine-supplemented group (GlnPN; n=15). The primary endpoint was hepatic function. The secondary endpoints were total duration of PN, weight and head circumference gain, length of hospitalization, and days on a ventilator. The serum level of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) after parenteral nutrition for 14 days was significantly higher (p<0.05) in the control group. But in the glutamine-supplemented group, the serum concentration of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and gamma glutamyltransferase (GGT) significantly decreased after PN for 7 days and 14 days (p<0.05), and the level of alkaline phosphatase (AKP) showed no increase. The levels of AKP and GGT were significantly different with time by group interaction. Levels of AKP was higher in control group than glutamine-supplemented group, and GGT level was lower in glutamine-supplemented group compared with controls. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of total duration of PN, weight gain (g/d), increase in head circumference (cm/w), length of hospitalization, and duration of mechanical ventilation. The longer the duration of parenteral nutrition, the more severe hepatic dysfunction became. Parenteral glutamine supplementation suggested a hepatoprotective effect.

Cost analysis of adult parenteral nutrition systems: three-compartment bag versus customized.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a costly technology used widely to provide nutrition to patients who have an inaccessible or non-functioning intestine. Two all-in-one systems currently being used are customized formulations and three-compartment bags. To provide a systematic cost comparison of the two all-in-one PN systems: individualized (made from nutrient solutions) versus commercialized (made from three-compartment bag), both prepared in hospital pharmacies. This study was conducted in three public Spanish hospitals. We conducted a cost-minimization study to analyze prospectively the total cost of PN bags, accounting for all of the processes involved in preparing and delivering PN bags (cost of manpower, nutrition solutions, medical supplies and quality controls) in three different healthcare settings. To compare therapeutic alternatives of equivalent nutritional value, the study was performed for the most frequently employed formulation and similar to commercial preparations. A univariate sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of different rates of use of three-compartment PN bag. 157 routine acts of PN bag preparation (65 customized and 92 three-compartment) were observed and timed over 9 days. Total costs of the 157 PN bags were included in the study. Mean costs of customized bags were higher than three-compartment bags, 51.16 ± 5.63 € versus 39.69 ± 3.00 € respectively (p < 0.01). Manpower costs were responsible for the majority of the differences found (70%). The time to complete an adult bag for the hospital compounded system was a mean of 25.9 minutes longer than the three-compartment system. In scenarios using a three-compartment system for 30%, 70% and 90% of PN provision, a cost savings of 4.3%, 10.1% and 12.9% respectively could be achieved. Greatest rates of changing from customized bags (70% and 90%), in a hospital with 1,800 PN bags/year, might reduce the annual budget by 9306 € and 11,964.8 €, respectively. Meanwhile, in a large facility the savings for 8,000 TPN days would be 64,248 € and 82,605 €, respectively. Since seeking cost-reduction of effective treatments is needed, the use of three-compartment bags for standard adult PN could lead to cost savings. Our data should be helpful for health care providers to calculate their own cost of administer.

PRS14 - Potential of Omega-3 Fatty Acid in Parenteral Nutrition in Germany: A Budget Impact Analysis

The costs to the German hospitals of intensive care (ICU) patients and of surgical patients not admitted to the ICU were estimated in a previous cost-effectiveness analysis of omega-3 FA-supplemented compared to standard PN regimens. The supplementation with Omega-3 FA results in shorter LOS and reduced infection rate, with cost savings for 3,277 € per ICU patient and 1,515 € per not-ICU patients. We aimed to estimate the economic consequences of increasing the rate of omega-3 fatty acids (FA) supplemented parenteral nutrition (PN) regimens in German hospitals IMS-data recorded about 3 million lipid-containing PN days for Germany; the total number of patients in ICU or in ward receiving PN with lipids was estimated on average PN duration from the cost-effectiveness analysis The costs related to the current use of omega-3 FA (about 29% of total lipid PN days) were compared with those expected with increasing percentages of omega-3 FA-containing PN rates. The yearly cost of the patient population (104,022 ICU patients and 427,986 not-ICU patients) treated with current PN regimens mix amounts to about 6 billion Euro. The increase of omega-3 FA-containing PN proportion up to 50% results in a saving of about 210 million Euro (2.7%); the exclusive use of omega-3 FA-containing PN regimes results in savings of 704 million Euro (11.6%). Encouraging omega-3 FA supplemented PN regimens is expected to save costs, because the use is associated with a reduction in hospital LOS (~ 850,000 days saved in the best scenario) and the number of nosocomial infections (~ 40,000 infections avoided in the best scenario). The potential of PN including omega-3 FAs in contributing to an improved quality of care/patient recovery and significant cost savings is not fully exploited in German hospitals.

Aggressive parenteral nutrition in sick very low birth weight babies: A randomized controlled trial

Survival of preterm neonates in developing world has improved. Developing countries lag behind in nutritional management in NICU especially parenteral nutrition (PN). This randomized controlled trial was done to evaluate the effect of aggressive parenteral nutrition on nitrogen retention of sick VLBW and extremely low birth weight (ELBW) babies. From September 2009 to February 2010, total 34 babies were randomized to receive aggressive parenteral nutrition (APN)(n=17) or standard parenteral nutrition (SPN) (n=17). The average daily total and PN calory intake of babies in APN group was significantly higher during first week. APN was well-tolerated; however, nitrogen retention was not significantly higher in APN group. Aggressive parenteral nutrition in sick VLBW babies is feasible in developing world, though it did not improve nitrogen retention in first week of life.

Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety of Premixed Parenteral Nutrition versus Customized Parenteral Nutrition in a Large Teaching Hospital

In the last two decades, there has been a significant degree of controversy surrounding the use of standardized parenteral solutions. Opponents of standardized parenteral nutrition claim that individualized parenteral nutrition is necessary because the critically ill patient requires daily manipulation of macro- and micro-nutrients secondary to stress associated with complex ailments. The purpose of this study was to determine if premixed parenteral nutrition solutions were equally safe and efficacious, while being less costly, in managing parenteral nutrition of patients at a large metropolitan teaching hospital, as compared to customized parenteral nutrition solutions. This was a randomized controlled trial with no placebo involving 100 patients requiring central parenteral nutrition. Consenting patients received either customized parenteral nutrition or premixed double chamber parenteral nutrition containing protein, carbohydrates and electrolytes. Vitamins and trace elements were added as needed. Each subject enrolled in the study was followed until the parenteral nutrition was either discontinued, the patient was transferred from the facility, or the patient expired during the study. Premixed and customized parenteral nutrition solutions were shown to be equally efficacious in patients as their blood glucose, fluid status, nutritional markers, serum electrolytes, phosphate, and magnesium values were within normal limits (p<.05). Premixed parenteral nutrition is associated with significantly better safety as compared to customized parenteral nutrition (11). Furthermore, the cost difference was $41,934 when comparing the premixed formulation to the customized solution. In this study, premixed parenteral nutrition solutions were equally safe, effective, and less costly than customized parenteral nutrition formulas. Patients receiving premixed parenteral nutrition experienced less adverse drug reactions and metabolic abnormalities than patients receiving customized parenteral nutrition.

Developing and implementing all-in-one standard paediatric parenteral nutrition.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a feeding mode suitable for children that do not achieve requirements via the enteral route. For this intervention to be successful, healthcare professionals require: knowledge on nutrient requirements; access to an aseptic compounding facility; and a system that ensures adequate and safe delivery of PN. Previously, it was thought that individualised PN was the “gold standard” for delivering nutrients to children; however, studies have highlighted concerns regarding inadequate delivery of nutrients, prescribing and compounding errors. We, therefore, set out to develop and implement all-in-one (AIO) paediatric PN solutions. Through a systematic approach, four AIO PN solutions were developed: birth–two months of age (Ped 1); two months–10 kg (Ped 2); 11–15 kg (Ped 3); and 16–30 kg (Ped 4). We implemented them with the help of a teaching pack, over a one month time period, and reviewed usage at six months. At that time, five children initially received standard PN without electrolyte changes; but after a few days, electrolytes needed amendments, and three required individualised PN. A change to AIO PN is feasible and safe; however, some may require electrolyte changes, and there will always be those that will require individualised PN.