Effect of 24-Hour Intravenous Tubing Set Change on the Sterility of Repackaged Fat Emulsion in Neonates

Use of Intravenous Lipid Emulsions With Parenteral Nutrition: Practical Handling Aspects

A number of topics important to the handling of intravenous lipid emulsions (ILEs) were discussed at the international summit. ILE handling includes the preparation and the administration steps in the typical use of parenteral nutrition (PN). The discussion and consensus statements addressed several issues, including standardization of the PN process, use of commercially available multi-chamber PN or compounded PN bags, the supervision by a pharmacist with expertise, limiting ILE repackaging, and infusion duration.

Summary of Proceedings and Expert Consensus Statements From the International Summit "Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition"

BACKGROUND

The 2018 Lipids in Parenteral Nutrition summit involved a panel of experts in clinical nutrition, lipid metabolism, and pharmacology, to assess the current state of knowledge and develop expert consensus statements regarding the use of intravenous lipid emulsions in various patient populations and clinical settings. The main purpose of the consensus statements is to assist healthcare professionals by providing practical guidance on common clinical questions related to the provision of lipid emulsions as part of parenteral nutrition (PN).

METHODS

The summit was designed to allow interactive discussion and consensus development. The resulting consensus statements represent the collective opinion of the members of the expert panel, which was informed and supported by scientific evidence and clinical experience.

RESULTS

The current article summarizes the key discussion topics from the summit and provides a set of consensus statements designed to complement existing evidence-based guidelines. Lipid emulsions are a major component of PN, serving as a condensed source of energy and essential fatty acids. In addition, lipids modulate a variety of biologic functions, including inflammatory and immune responses, coagulation, and cell signaling. A growing body of evidence suggests that lipid emulsions containing ω-3 fatty acids from fish oil confer important clinical benefits via suppression of inflammatory mediators and activation of pathways involved in the resolution of inflammation.

CONCLUSIONS

This article provides a set of expert consensus statements to complement formal PN guideline recommendations.

Microbial Contamination of Neonatal Injectable Lipid Emulsions at 12 and 24 Hours' Infusion Time With Evaluation of Infection Control Measures

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the microbial contamination rate of injectable lipid emulsion (ILE) repackaged syringes at 12 and 24 hours of their infusion time. Probable risk factors associated with contamination of the ILEs were also assessed. In addition, the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates was also determined.

METHODS

Samples of ILE were collected from 152 repackaged syringes and their infusion lines after 12 hours and 24 hours of infusion time (73 and 79 samples, respectively). Samples were cultured, the isolates were identified, and the antimicrobial resistance pattern of the bacterial isolates was identified. A checklist was completed throughout the study to observe the compliance to infection control measures by pharmacists (who prepare) and nurses (who administer) the ILE infusions. Results of septic neonatal cultures were taken from records.

RESULTS

Microbial contamination was found in 15.8% of ILE samples. The 2 most common pathogens found among positive samples were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.2%) and Candida albicans (20.8%). Microbial contamination of repackaged syringes increased from 9.6% at 12 hours to 21.5% at 24 hours. This difference was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.044). A similar trend of predominance of those 2 pathogens, in both ILE and neonatal cultures, was observed. There was a statistically significant better performance of infection control measures of pharmacists rather than nurses. The K pneumoniae isolates (n = 7) showed antibiotic resistance in the following pattern: gentamicin (71.4%), cefazolin (85.7%), and cefoxitin (85.7%).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of ILE contamination was less at 12 hours' than at 24 hours' infusion time. However, contamination rates at 12 hours were unacceptably high. Klebisella pneumoniae and C albicans were the most common pathogens isolated from ILE. Compliance with infection control measures was significantly worse among nurses compared with pharmacists.

A.S.P.E.N. clinical guidelines: parenteral nutrition ordering, order review, compounding, labeling, and dispensing

BACKGROUND

Parenteral nutrition (PN) is a high-alert medication available for patient care within a complex clinical process. Beyond application of best practice recommendations to guide safe use and optimize clinical outcome, several issues are better addressed through evidence-based policies, procedures, and practices. This document provides evidence-based guidance for clinical practices involving PN prescribing, order review, and preparation.

METHOD

A systematic review of the best available evidence was used by an expert work group to answer a series of questions about PN prescribing, order review, compounding, labeling, and dispensing. Concepts from the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) format were applied as appropriate. The specific clinical guideline recommendations were developed using consensus prior to review and approval by the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) Board of Directors. The following questions were addressed: (1) Does education of prescribers improve PN ordering? (2) What is the maximum safe osmolarity of PN admixtures intended for peripheral vein administration? (3) What are the appropriate calcium intake and calcium-phosphate ratios in PN for optimal neonatal bone mineralization? (4) What are the clinical advantages or disadvantages of commercially available premade ("premixed") multichambered PN formulations compared with traditional/customized PN formulations? (5) What are the clinical (infection, catheter occlusion) advantages or disadvantages of 2-in-1 compared with 3-in-1 PN admixtures? (6) What macronutrient dosing limits are expected to provide for the most stable 3-in-1 admixtures? (7) What are the most appropriate recommendations for optimizing calcium (gluconate) and (Na- or K-) phosphate compatibility in PN admixtures? (8) What micronutrient contamination is present in parenteral stock solutions currently used to compound PN admixtures? (9) Is it safe to use the PN admixture as a vehicle for non-nutrient medication delivery? (10) Should heparin be included in the PN admixture to reduce the risk of central vein thrombosis? (11) What methods of repackaging intravenous fat emulsion (IVFE) into smaller patient-specific volumes are safe? (12) What beyond-use date should be used for (a) IVFE dispensed for separate infusion in the original container and (b) repackaged IVFE?

Parenteral lipid emulsions in paediatrics

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Lipid emulsions are crucial for providing essential fatty acids and energy in infants and children requiring parenteral nutrition. There is ongoing debate about the optimal composition of lipid emulsions and the optimal timing for introducing lipids to the parenteral nutrition of premature infants in order to enhance the benefits and to minimize the risk of complications.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several studies have investigated the effects of early compared with late administration of lipid emulsions. A meta-analysis demonstrated that early introduction of lipid emulsions does not improve short-term growth or prevent morbidity and mortality in preterm infants. On the other hand, early introduction of lipid emulsions was not shown to increase the risk of complications. A number of studies have investigated the effects of different fatty acid compositions in lipid emulsions on peroxidation. In-vitro findings suggest that lipid peroxidation is related to the polyunsaturated fatty acid content and inversely related to the alpha-tocopherol/polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio of the fat emulsion. The composition of lipid emulsions has also been shown to influence fatty acid metabolism. A mixture of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides seems to enhance the incorporation of essential fatty acids and long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids into circulating lipids when compared with an emulsion containing only long-chain triglycerides.

SUMMARY

Although the composition of lipid emulsions has been demonstrated to influence peroxidation and fatty acid metabolism, outcome studies are needed to confirm advantageous effects.