Parenteral nutrition is given inappropriately in almost a third of adult cases, report says

A national inquiry into the way hospitals administer parenteral nutrition to adults and premature babies has found major deficiencies, with good practice present in less than a quarter of cases.

The study, from the National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death, reviewed the hospital care of 877 adults and 264 neonates given such nutrition. It found good practice in just 19% of adult cases and 23% of neonatal cases. The inquiry also found poor care and documentation when central venous catheters were inserted.

James Stewart, consultant gastroenterologist at Leicester Royal Infirmary and lead author of the report, said that although …