Portfolio of services in Endocrinology and Nutrition. 2020 update.

Endocrinology and Nutrition is a medical specialty covering the study and treatment of diseases of the endocrine system, metabolism and those derived from the nutritional process, including knowledge of diagnostic techniques and dietary and therapeutic measures. In order to develop these activities and plan the management of resources allocated for this purpose, the so-called Portfolio of Services of the specialty has to be defined. A Portfolio of Services is defined as the set of techniques, technologies or procedures through which care services are provided in a healthcare centre, department or institution. It is an essential tool for organization of a hospital Unit or Department by defining the roles and procedures of its healthcare professionals, and also for structuring the resources required to perform the activity. It also allows for defining how to use these resources and identifying the objectives to be achieved, improving the quality of clinical care. Finally, the definition and preparation of the portfolio of services makes it possible to have an inventory of the offer of healthcare services and to detect new healthcare needs.

Development of hyponatremia in non-critical patients receiving total parenteral nutrition: A prospective, multicenter study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Hyponatremia is frequent in hospitalized patients, especially in those receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN). Furthermore, the presence of hyponatremia is associated with increased morbimortality in both groups. The goal of this study is to describe the prevalence of hyponatremia developing during TPN in non-critical patients, and identify risk factors for its appearance. METHODS: This prospective multicenter study involved 19 Spanish hospitals. Noncritically-ill patients prescribed TPN over a 9-month period were studied. Variables analyzed demographic characteristics, prior comorbidities, drug therapy, PN composition, additional iv fluids, and serum sodium levels. RESULTS: A total of 543 patients were recruited, 60.2% males. Age: 67 (IR 57-76). Of 466/543 who were eunatremic when starting TPN, 18% developed hyponatremia (serum sodium < 135 mmol/L) during TPN. Independent risk factors identified by logistic regression analysis: female (OR 1.74 [95% CI = 1.04-2.92], p = 0.036); severe malnutrition (OR 2.15 [95% CI = 1.16-4.35], p = 0.033); opiates (OR 1.97 [95% CI = 1.10-3.73], p = 0.036); and nausea/vomiting (OR 1.75 [95% CI = 1.04-2.94], p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Previously eunatremic patients frequently develop hyponatremia while receiving TPN. In this group, severe malnutrition is an independent risk factor for hyponatremia, as well as previously described risk factors: opiates, nausea/vomiting, and female gender.