The role of the nutritional support team in preventing and identifying complications of parenteral and enteral nutrition.
As the technology of parenteral and enteral nutrition advances, a multidisciplinary nutritional support team (NST) can be used to assure quality care. NST functions include developing and using standard protocols and solutions, monitoring patients, and preventing complications. Interventions by NSTs can save money for the hospital as well. Examples from Truman Medical Center (Kansas City, Missouri) illustrate how the NST can perform these functions.