The impact of nursing practice on the history and effectiveness of total parenteral nutrition.

Nutrition support nursing grew out of the development of total parenteral nutrition in the late 1960s. Nurses contributed to the development of safe and effective delivery of parenteral nutrition and continue to serve on nutrition and metabolic teams in a variety of ways. Research demonstrating the positive effect of the nurse and the team are presented here, along with the history, evolution, and current state of nutrition support nursing.

Clinical trial of interactive and videotaped educational interventions reduce infection, reactive depression, and rehospitalizations for sepsis in patients on home parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: Patients receiving long-term home parenteral nutrition (HPN) have catheter-related infections, reactive depression, and other recurrent problems that decrease their quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Interactive Educational Videotaped Interventions (IEVI) designed to prevent HPN complications of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI), to prevent reactive depression (from Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition definition), and to increase patients' frequency of problem-solving with professionals. METHODS: A randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial was used to test IEVI that engaged patients in infection and depression prevention and problem-solving activities with professionals. The primary outcome measure was CR-BSIs, while reactive depression and problem solving were secondary outcomes. Quality of life and satisfaction with interventions, also secondary outcomes, were evaluated at 18 months. RESULTS: Compared with controls, there was a lower frequency in the experimental group of CRBSIs (chi2 = 4.82, p = .03), reactive depression (chi2 = 4.50, p = .03), and rehospitalization for CR-BSIs (chi2 = 5.73, p = .01). There was greater use of problem solving in the experimental group (chi2 = 4.33, p = .038). These differences occurred at the primary endpoint of 6 months after administration of the interventions. At the 18-month follow-up, there were fewer CR-BSIs (chi2 = 4.42, p = .035), and fewer hospitalizations for infection (chi2 = 5.729, p = .01). CONCLUSIONS: The IEVI reduced CR-BSIs and reactive depression and increased problem solving with professionals. IEVI use also can result in fewer hospitalizations and improved quality of life. Long-term improvement did not occur for reactive depression and problem-solving outcomes because patients used these less often.

Home parenteral nutrition: does affiliation with a national support and educational organization improve patient outcomes?

BACKGROUND: For patients receiving home parenteral nutrition (HPN), catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and reactive depression may significantly impact quality-of-life. This study evaluated the influence of patient affiliation with a national organization promoting HPN education and peer support on these outcome variables. METHODS: Using a case-control design, we compared 2 groups of affiliated patients with nonaffiliated controls, who were matched for diagnosis, HPN duration, sex, and age. Group 1 data were obtained from patients in large HPN medical practice programs. Group 2 data were obtained from patients in small medical practices with a small number of HPN patients. All participants were evaluated by structured interviews every 6 months over 18 months. RESULTS: In both data collection groups, affiliated patients (A) had significantly higher (mean +/- SD) quality-of-life scores compared with nonaffiliated patients (NA): (Gr 1: A, 19.8 +/- 4.7 versus NA, 17.6 +/- 5.6, p = .05; Gr 2: A, 20.4 +/- 5.2 versus NA, 17.3 +/- 4.8, p = .05). Affiliated patients also had lower depression scores (Gr 1: A, 10.9 +/- 10.4 versus NA, 20.4 +/- 13.6, p = .01; Gr 2: A, 12.5 +/- 9.6 versus NA, 18.5 +/- 10.8, p = .03) and a lower incidence of catheter-related infections (Gr 1: A, 0.10 +/- 0.3 versus NA, 0.60 +/- 0.55, p = .01; Gr 2: A, 0.27 +/- 0.55 versus NA, 0.71 +/- 0.64, p = .02) than nonaffiliated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Affiliation with an organization that provides ongoing HPN education and peer support was associated with significantly better HPN outcomes. Alternative explanations are discussed in relation to limitations of the case-control design.

Venous thrombosis associated with peripherally inserted central catheters: a retrospective analysis of the Cleveland Clinic experience.

Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) have become popular for long courses of intravenously administration of antibiotics. Although these devices are generally regarded as safe, thrombotic complications have been associated with their use. In a retrospective review, 51 (2.47%) of 2063 patients who had a PICC placed during 1994-1996 were found to have developed a total of 52 PICC-associated venous thromboses (VTs). Two patients received the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism that was a complication of VT. Risk factors for VT identified by multiple logistic regression analysis were younger age, history of VT, discharge to a skilled-nursing facility, and therapy with amphotericin B. VT is a significant complication of PICC placement. It may occur more frequently than previously recognized and may be complicated by pulmonary embolism. Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion, especially for high-risk patients.