A survey of parenteral nutrition programs

A questionnaire on parenteral nutrition (PN) programs was sent to Canadian hospital pharmacy directors in a random sample of 100 hospitals. The intent was to obtain information about the existing status of PN committees, PN teams, PN pharmacists, and the environment in which they function. Sixty-seven of the 74 respondents had PN programs. PN protocols were approved in 85 percent of the hospitals; and PN committees existed in 60 percent of the hospitals. Ten hospitals had multidisciplinary PN teams, with pharmacists on each team. Most of the hospitals required routine standardized laboratory tests for PN patients; but only 34 percent of the hospitals had developed monitoring forms. Canadian pharmacists have made progress in the area of PN, however, there are still opportunities for pharmacist involvement in the clinical areas of PN therapy.