Parenteral nutrition: an overview of current practice.
Nutritional support should always be provided via the gastrointestinal tract if possible, but parenteral nutrition, i.e. infusion of nutrients directly into the venous circulation, can be a safe and effective method of nutritional support when used in carefully selected patients and monitored appropriately. A multidisciplinary team approach to patient selection, assessment and monitoring is recommended. Access for parenteral feeding is traditionally via a central vein, but the peripheral route can be used for short-term feeding and should be considered for the majority of patients. Nutritional requirements should be assessed on an individual basis and a feeding regimen designed using standard formulations where possible. The transition back onto oral or enteral nutrition should be closely supervised by a dietitian. Parenteral feeding can be provided to the community if appropriate, but thorough training, monitoring and support are essential.
Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, Bordesley Green East.
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D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D010288:Parenteral Nutrition / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods / Q000451:nursing*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D018579:Patient Selection