The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) and Baxter International Inc. have created a comprehensive collaborative program entitled “Smart PN” that will provide health care professionals with educational tools for parenteral nutrition (PN) therapy.
“Recent publications highlight an unmet need for PN — particularly in certain acute and critical care settings — and clinical benefits for patients who receive PN in specific situations,” Mary Russell, a senior manager of medical affairs at Baxter and the president-elect of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, said in a statement. “As a leader in nutrition care, it’s important for us to work with highly respected organizations like ASPEN to help increase awareness about the crucial importance of nutrition care and help clinicians most effectively administer this potential life-saving and life-sustaining therapy to patients.”
PN, the act of delivering intravenous nourishment to those who cannot sustain proper nutrition levels, is important in helping reduce malnutrition. PN distributes protein, carbohydrate, fat, minerals, electrolytes, vitamins and other trace elements to patients.
“Our understanding of how critically ill patients benefit from nutritional therapy continues to evolve. As it does, we must ensure healthcare teams carefully evaluate the nutritional status of those they care for and provide appropriate care, whether oral, enteral or PN,” Dr. Peggi Guenter, senior director of clinical practice, quality and advocacy at ASPEN, said.
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