Adequate energy intake and improved prealbumin concentration as indicators of the response to total parenteral nutrition
Sawicky, C.P.; Nippo, J.; Winkler, M.F.; Albina, J.E.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 92(10): 1266-1268
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 1401667 Document Number: 388723
The Joint Comnmission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations is developing outcome-oriented clinical indicators to monitor the quality of patient care. An indicator is a defined, measurable variable relating to the structure, process, or outcome of an important aspect of care for which data are collected in the monitoring and evaluation process. Outcome indicators of patient care include complications, adverse events, short-term results of specific procedures and treatments, and longer-term measures of patient health and function. As part of a multidisciplinary team responsible for patient care, the dietitian has an essential role in the development of clinical indicators. Because dietitians traditionally monitor the effects of nutrition intervention, it would be prudent for them to document these data in order to develop reliable outcome indicators. The purpose of our study was to identify potential outcome-oriented clinical indicators by evaluating the nutritional response of serum albumin, prealbumin (transthyretin), retinol-binding protein and transferrin concentrations to total parenteral nutrition (TPN).