P17 Introducing concentrated preterm stock parenteral nutrition and the impact on bespoke compounding
Authors: Hibberd Suzannah , Hill Amy 
Published: August 2020

Background

It is widely recommended that stock parenteral nutrition (PN) bags are used where possible to reduce the risks associated with bespoke PN compounding.1 A review was undertaken within a level three neonatal unit which identified that a large proportion of compounded bags were made due to the need to provide full nutrition in a smaller volume. A preterm concentrated aqueous PN bag was developed which, when run with stock lipid syringes, meets the nutritional requirements of preterm babies in a total volume of 100 ml/kg/day.2

Aim

The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of the introduction of a preterm concentrated stock bag on the need for bespoke PN in preterm babies.

Method

The new concentrated PN bag was transitioned into use from November 2017. Data regarding the number of preterm patients admitted and the type of PN they received was collected from January to October 2017, (Group A), this was then repeated for all preterm patients admitted from August 2018 to May 19, (Group B), after the preterm concentrated bag was fully introduced. Preterm babies were classified as babies that were born < 34 weeks gestation as the concentrated bag was formulated with these patients in mind.

Results

Group A, (n=143), had 1045 bags supplied over the collection period. 47% of the PN bags supplied were bespoke PN bags, largely due to the need to provide PN in a smaller volume than the 130 ml/kg/day that the preterm stock bags available at that time. Group B, (n=118), had a total of 965 bags supplied, 16% of these bags were bespoke PN. The reasons behind requiring bespoke bags included the need for manganese free bags, requiring a reduction in glucose and a high electrolyte requirement in patients especially those with stomas. This has resulted in an overall reduction in spend on preterm PN of 34% and a reduction in compounded PN spend of 69%.

Conclusion

This work has highlighted several benefits of introducing preterm concentrated PN bags. Firstly having concentrated preterm stock bags available on the ward has meant that a larger proportion of babies are maintained on stock PN without recourse to compounded PN. Secondly this has preserved the compounding capacity of our technical services unit so when a patient requires a bespoke bag that facility is available. Also, capacity for the compounding service has been preserved across the hospital minimising the need to outsource compounding. Finally the neonatal unit has seen a reduction in overall PN costs in this patient group. The introduction of this bag has been instrumental in reducing the need to outsource PN bags to commercial compounding units during periods of high demand, meeting national recommendations on the management of aseptic compounding capacity.3

References

A Report from the Paediatric Chief Pharmacists Group: Improving Practice and Reducing Risk in the Provision of Parenteral Nutrition for Neonates and Children. November 2011.

British Association of Perinatal Medicine. The Provision of Parenteral Nutrition within Neonatal Services - A Framework for Practice. April 2016.

Specialist Pharmacy Service/NHS England. National Pharmaceutical Supply Group (NPSG) Communication: Making best use of restricted aseptic compounding capacity. September 2018.