Team approach to total parenteral nutrition

The organization, function, and results of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) team consisting of a surgical staff physician, a senior surgery resident, a nurse and a pharmacist are described. The TPN team has treated 160 patients. The incidence of septicemia as a complication of TPN has been less than 1% and the rate of serious metabolic derangements of TPN has been 2.7% for electrolyte aberrations and 5% for significant glycosuria in this series. It is recommended that hospitals that cannot provide such a team should refer patients requiring TPN to a center with a TPN team.