Organization of parenteral nutrition in hospital and at home

Abstract

The first priority here is to educate clinicians (particularly, doctors in training) to recognize the situation when a patient might benefit from parenteral nutrition. The one absolute indication for TPN is gastrointestinal failure, though there may be other occasions when TPN is an important adjunct to therapy when the gut may be functional, e.g. in acute renal failure. Wherever possible it is agreed that enteral nutrition should be embarked upon as the main nutritional support system providing the gut is functional and the patient is cooperative.