A prospective study evaluating the effects of extending total parenteral nutrition line changes to 72 hours

The use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has increased considerably in recent years, resulting in greater demands on human and material resources. Current practice in most hospitals is to replace i.v. lines for TPN every 24 hours, whereas all other i.v. lines are changed every 72 hours. A prospective study was conducted in a pediatric hospital to compare the nosocomial infection incidence between 24- and 72-hour TPN line changes. The convenience sample of 279 patients receiving TPN was studied over two consecutive 12-month periods. A statistically significant decrease was found in the incidence of nosocomial septicemia in the 72 hour line change group. A substantial decrease also was demonstrated in the overall cost of TPN management.