Total Parenteral Nutrition Calculation Dashboard

Patients hospitalized for serious illnesses or injury are often unable to obtain their daily nutrition needs orally. Such patients include those who have gastrointestinal absorption issues, obstructions, persistent hemorrhages, lengthy treatment where patients are not allowed anything by mouth for several days, and more. In such instances, Total Parenteral Nutrition, also known as a TPN, provides patients with their daily nutritional needs via their bloodstream. TPNs are comprised of the proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and electrolytes the body needs to function properly. They can be further personalized by adding multivitamins, trace elements, and medications, such as insulin and those needed to prevent stress ulcers. Because nutrients and medications are passed directly into the bloodstream, TPNs can provide vital nutrition for patients who are not able to properly absorb nutrients through their digestive tract. However, the calculations are complex and having an interactive calculator to guide the user through the process will have benefit. Here we demonstrate the design and implimentation of such a calculator to enhance PharmD education and for use in clinical settings following further validation.

External resources

• Youtube video of Total Parenteral Nutrition Calculator