Parenteral nutrition with standard solutions: not the best solution for everyone? A retrospective audit of 300 patients.

An observational retrospective study audited the incidence of adverse events in 300 consecutive inpatients receiving a single, premade total nutrient admixture. No patient experienced critically high triglycerides; 16% of patients had a metabolic adverse event, including raised bilirubin, urea, creatinine, or liver enzymes. Line sepsis occurred on 30 occasions representing 0.67 infections per 1000 catheter days. Mortality was significantly higher in dialysis, nonsurgical, and intensive care unit patients. The use of a standard formulation for all parenterally nourished patients does not lead to an unacceptable incidence or severity of metabolic complications; however, it did not meet the protein requirements of surgical or critically ill patients.