Improving the safety and effectiveness of parenteral nutrition: results of a quality improvement collaboration.

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a high-risk nutrition support modality. This article describes the approach taken by 1 hospital to improve safety and quality of this therapy as well as the challenges and obstacles to success. Process improvement strategies included revisions to the PN order form, education of clinicians (including physicians), increased collaboration between pharmacists and registered dietitians, and initiation of PN rounds during which PN patients were reviewed by the rounding team twice weekly.