Prospective survey of parenteral nutrition in Switzerland: a three-year nation-wide survey

Background & Aims: The goals of this national survey were to determine the current PN practices and admixture formulations used in Switzerland. Method s: During three years, an annual questionnaire was sent to all heads of Swi ss hospital pharmacies. Results: 92 % of Swiss hospitals with a full-time p harmacist participated. Different PN systems were commonly used for adult p atients: 2 commercial formulas in 2 or 3 compartments bags, 2 commercial fo rmulas with/without lipid, 3 formulas compounded by the hospital pharmacy. For hospitalized adults, 83% of PN bags were administered as commercial mul ticompartment bags. The compounding of individualized PN admixtures takes p lace primarily in pharmacies of medium to large size hospitals. For pediatr ic PN, hospital compounding is routine because of individualized PN composi tions and absence of commercially available standardized admixtures. Long-t erm home-PN was mostly delivered by hospital pharmacies (57%) or by private nutrition support home delivery services (37%). Most PN formula compositio ns complied with European guidelines and represented 2.6 +/- 2.0% of the ho spital drug budget. Multi-disciplinary nutritional support teams were prese nt in 52% of hospitals. Conclusion: In Switzerland, most PN for hospitalize d adults were administered as commercial multi-compartment bags. The compou nding of individualized PN admixtures were still important for pediatric pa tients and long-term home-PN. (C) 2001 Harcourt Publishers Ltd.