An international study of the quality of life of adult patients treated with home parenteral nutrition.

Background & Aims: Home parenteral nutrition-quality of life (HPN-QOL) is a self-assessment tool for the measurement of QOL in patients on HPN. The aims of this study were: to re-assess the basic psychometric properties of the HPN-QOL in a multinational sample of adult patients; to provide a description of QOL dimensions by short and long HPN treatment duration; to explore clinical factors potentially associated to QOL scores.

Methods: Patients (n = 699) from 14 countries completed the HPN-QOL.

Development of quality of care interventions for adult patients on home parenteral nutrition (HPN) with a benign underlying disease using a two-round Delphi approach.

Background & Aims: HPN patients with benign diseases deserve professional care as they have to deal with complex techniques and risk potentially dangerous complications. The aim was to highlight main outcome quality indicators and to develop a set of key interventions to direct multidisciplinary teams in providing qualitative care.

Methods: A two-round Delphi approach was used to build consensus on the most important outcome indicators and on 59 interventions identified in existing guidelines on HPN.

Home parenteral nutrition in Scotland: frequency of monitoring, adequacy of review and consequence for complication rates.

Background And Aims: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) has been a major advance in the management of patients with gastrointestinal failure. It demands regular monitoring to ensure optimal intake, assess treatment response, and minimize complications. The Scottish Home Parenteral Nutrition Managed Clinical Network (MCN) produced a guideline advising three-monthly monitoring of biochemistry, micronutrients, vitamins, weight, and anthropometry.

The clinical and psychometric validation of a questionnaire to assess the quality of life of adult patients treated with long-term parenteral nutrition.

Background: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is an established treatment for the management of patients with chronic intestinal failure. No quality-of-life assessment tools have been developed and validated specifically for this patient population, and previous studies have used generic instruments or techniques not validated in HPN. The assessment of quality of life (QOL) should produce clinically relevant data reflecting patients' issues.

A review of the quality of life of adult patients treated with long-term parenteral nutrition.

Background And Aims: Some previous studies have assessed quality of life (QoL) in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) using generic instruments or non-validated questionnaires. A systematic search of electronic databases and relevant publications identified 50 publications. This paper reviews the QoL of patients receiving HPN and discusses the factors affecting QoL.

Organization of managed clinical networking for home parenteral nutrition.

Purpose Of Review: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is an established treatment for intestinal failure, and organization of HPN is variable throughout the UK and Europe. Managed clinical networking is the single most important feature of the UK National Health Service strategy for acute services in Scotland and has the potential to improve the management of HPN patients. This review addresses the role of managed clinical networking in HPN and compares outcome data between centres.

A review of the instruments used to assess the quality of life of adult patients with chronic intestinal failure receiving parenteral nutrition at home.

Home parenteral nutrition is an established method of supporting patients with intestinal failure, but this treatment may be life long and imposes severe restrictions on daily life. Impact on quality of life is an important outcome when considering the management of home parenteral nutrition patients. This paper reviews studies in which the quality of life of patients receiving home parenteral nutrition has been assessed.

Scottish Home Parenteral Nutrition Managed Clinical Network: coordination and standards.

Home parenteral nutrition is required by patients with intestinal disease such that they are unable to maintain nutritional status or fluid volume without this treatment. A Managed Clinical Network has been established in Scotland. The aims of this multi-professional group are to ensure equity of access and that patients are managed according to nationally-agreed evidence-based procedures and protocols.