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T Brady

Publications and source records attributed to T Brady.

39 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Reducing the inappropriate use of parenteral nutrition in an acute care teaching hospital.

BACKGROUND: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a form of nutrition that can be life-saving, but its use has inherent risks and it is expensive. Nutrition support teams have been shown to reduce both the rate of complications and excessive use of PN. METHODS: Criteria were established to evaluate the appropriateness of PN use in a 487-bed community teaching hospital. A prospective study of 50 consecutive patients, who received either central or peripheral PN, was conducted. RESULTS: The 50 patients received 469 days of PN. We found that 233 (49.7%) of the 469 days of PN were avoidable. This resulted in the creation of a formal approval process that required prior approval by a physician-directed multidisciplinary advisory committee before PN could be instituted. The amount of PN subsequently decreased from 500 patient days of PN per month to less than 100. CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the idea that inappropriate use of PN can be reduced by physician education plus the continuing oversight of a physician-directed multidisciplinary advisory group.

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