title: Total parenteral nutrition: how to reduce the risks.
abstract: Total parenteral nutrition has a number of associated complications. These include air embolism and haemothorax on insertion of the line, infection, catheter blockage, catheter-related sepsis and thrombotic obstruction. A nurse-led initiative was undertaken to improve the administration of TPN through the development of evidence-based practice. The aims were to keep the catheter free from infection and blockage, with an uninterrupted feeding period, irrespective of length of time. A study of 235 episodes of feeding over two years showed a marked reduction in complications, and resulted in a dedicated unit for patients requiring TPN.
authors.affiliation: Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen, University Hospital NHS Trust.
authors.forename: Lorraine
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bosonnet
mesh_terms: D003428:Cross Infection / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D010289:Parenteral Nutrition, Total / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000451:nursing* / Q000592:standards; D012308:Risk Management / Q000379:methods*; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000517:prevention & control