Stability issues in home parenteral nutrition.
Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is a method of providing nutrients, fluid and electrolytes intravenously to patients with a malfunctioning gastrointestinal tract, at home. Parenteral nutrition (PN) formulations are checked carefully for stability by the hospital pharmacist before the bags are made. However, there are many differences between supplying PN regimens to in-patients on the ward and to patients at home. Transportation between the hospital and home may be prolonged if the patient lives a long way from the hospital and may not be straight-forward. A number of factors can adversely affect the stability of the PN, which in turn can cause complications such as line blockage; or even life-threatening events, such as pulmonary embolism. The hospital team caring for HPN patients needs to be aware of these stability issues if complications resulting from incompatibilities of the solutions in the bags or the infusion line are to be avoided.
Wormleighton
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Pharmacia & Upjohn Ltd, Davy Avenue, Knowlhill, Milton Keynes, MK5 8PH, UK.
Catling
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D004355:Drug Stability; D006801:Humans; D016331:Parenteral Nutrition, Home / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D012996:Solutions; D014186:Transportation
D012996:Solutions