Background A prospective study in which the standard parenteral nutrition prescribed by physicians for adult patients was compared with that designed by a resident pharmacist taking advantage of nutritional knowledge acquired during an internship in the area of nutrition with another hospital.

Purpose To weigh the advantages and disadvantages of individualised and standardised parenteral nutrition formulas.

Material and methods We selected 20 patients hospitalised in surgical wards in our hospital. The standardised parenteral nutrition prescribed by physicians was studied. We evaluated: indication, nutritional status of the patients, the incidence of complications during the process and the suitability of the standardised parenteral nutrition prescribed according to the clinical practice guidelines established by the Working Group on Nutrition – Spanish Hospital Pharmacists Society.

Results

• From a total of 20 patients, 40% of them had been prescribed standard parenteral nutrition that did not fit with the recommended guidelines.

• 80% of standardised parenteral nutrition did not fit with the caloric and water requirements recommended in clinical practice guidelines.

• 50% of patients had hypertriglyceridemia that was not controlled with the standardised parenteral nutrition.

• 40% of patients needed a correction in the contribution of electrolytes to suit the requirements published in the clinical practice guidelines.

Conclusion

• There is an excess of standardisation of parenteral nutrition in our hospital.

• The consequence is a decrease in the quality of treatment.

• Parenteral nutrition is used in off-label clinical situations.

• There is a lack of adequate monitoring.

• Parenteral nutrition can be adapted to the specific requirements of the patients and this is indicated especially in critical patients.

• The standard parenteral nutrition is useful in patients with standard energy and nutrient requirements.

References and/or Acknowledgements No conflict of interest.