PROGRAM FOR TRAINING STAFF PHARMACISTS IN TOTAL PARENTERAL-NUTRITION

A staff development program in total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is described. A 12-week education and training program was developed at a community hospital to enable staff pharmacists (those with B.S. degrees) to become involved in the pharmacy-based TPN service that has been in effect at the institution since 1978. Before 1987, the TPN pharmacist had always held a Pharm.D. degree. In the first four weeks of the program the trainee is allotted two hours per day for required reading. During the final eight weeks, the trainee accompanies a TPN pharmacist on daily rounds. A proficiency examination is given after week 10. Upon successful completion of the program, the pharmacist serves as a nutritional support therapy consultant to physicians who wish to have their patients evaluated, treated, and monitored by the TPN service. A quality assurance program was developed to enable the clinical coordinator in charge of the service to identify areas where further in-service education might be indicated and to satisfy requirements of the Joint Commission. Six staff pharmacists have completed the training program and are allowed to write TPN orders and conduct TPN rounds. The program has expanded the clinical roles of the staff pharmacists and has been well received by the medical staff. The quality assurance monitoring indicates that the service is excellent. A staff development program was successful in training staff pharmacists to participate in TPN therapy.