No abstract

We analyzed the costs to a hospital of providing complete home parenteral nutrition (HPN) services for eight patients. Identified cost components include patient training, equipment, supplies, and follow-up. The average annual cost of maintaining parenteral nutrition at home was 73% lower than it would have been in the hospital. The establishment of private companies to provide patients with HPN supplies and services will reduce the financial burden of HPN programs for hospitals.

No abstract

The history and current status of home total parenteral nutrition are reviewed. Patients without a functional intestinal tract are able to lead a relatively normal life, infusing their essential nutrients through a Silastic® central venous catheter while they sleep at night. The average catheter life is nine months. Suspected sepsis and obstruction of the catheter were the leading causes for catheter removal.