Recognizing that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts, the Philadelphia Chapter of A.S.P.E.N. (PASPEN) and The Mid-Atlantic College of Clinical Pharmacy joined together to cosponsor an excellent nutrition support conference in Philadelphia on Tuesday, March 19, in the evening. Over 130 dietitians, nurses, pharmacists, and physicians attended the dinner meeting, which featured three lectures. Also in attendance were eight exhibitors who interacted with the attendees during the break.
Jay Mirtallo, MS, RPh, BDCNS, FASHP, FASPEN, professor of clinical pharmacy at The Ohio State University and immediate past president of A.S.P.E.N., spoke on parenteral nutrition (PN) safety, emphasizing safety in the areas of vascular access, untoward physiologic effects, and system errors that occur with PN. Mirtallo emphasized the need for a systematic approach to PN safety issues in health systems. Systems can be improved by adequate reporting and response to errors, he said.
Dr. Joseph Boullata, PharmD, RPh, BCNSP, professor at the University of Pennsylvania and long-time A.S.P.E.N. leader, gave a talk titled “Nutritional Pharmacotherapy: Fluid and Electrolyte Management.” This basic lecture provided a great review on fluid and electrolytes, a topic that clinicians face on a daily basis.
Jacquelyn Scott, MS, RD, LDN, CNSC, a clinical nutrition support specialist for Home Solutions Infusion Therapy, spoke on refeeding syndrome, emphasizing the importance of identifying at-risk patients, management, and ongoing monitoring.
