Synopsis
America’s health-system resources are often stretched to the extreme. So the critical question becomes, how can hospital management and staff achieve that fine balance between patient care and cost? In the past decade, hospital and health systems have attempted a myriad of solutions to address this tough question.
Introduction of premixed parenteral nutrition (PN) in different strengths and volumes goes against the industry trend to control inventory (reduce the number of products) in order to decrease the opportunity for errors. Premixed PN can meet the needs of a limited number of adult patients. It’s important to note, however, that premixed PN is not appropriate for pediatric, neonate or premature patients1 nor does it provide for any specialty amino acid formulations or formulations for fluid-restricted patients. Despite this, the industry is being encouraged to revert to a standard of practice that was abandoned in the mid 1980’s. An established facility Clinical Nutritional Committee can help determine the best clinical nutritional therapy for a patient and reduce costs through the proper utilization of parenteral and enteral nutrition therapies.
