A computer program for parenteral nutrition solution preparation

Abstract

The preparation of single-bottle parenteral nutrition solutions for neonates has long posed a problem for pharmacists. Frequent formulation changes and the need for rapid supply of solutions after prescription has led to a variety of preparation techniques being developed. An interactive computer program is described which enables a nonspecialist pharmacist staff to safely and quickly produce the formula, label and fully document it from a prescription for parenteral nutrition. Ordered quantities are expressed in amounts required per kilogram per 24 hours, and are input to a computer using a "prompt" system. Features of the program include automatic compensations for all non-amino acid ingredients of a variety of commercial amino acid solutions; specified or unspecified chloride anion input; and logic checks which are tied to physiologie "danger" levels, signaling to the operator when "greater than a critical level" has been requested by the prescriber, as well as the conventional check of the logic. The program has allowed infinite variability to prescribing of all ingredients of parenteral nutrition, extremely rapid and accurate production of formulate and allows the computer storage of data about nutritional input to patients. The program is extremely simple in operation, and gives significant cuts in lag time between prescription and the commencement of the new formula.