Professional Development Role of the Pharmacist on the Nutrition Support Team

The pharmacist’s involvement in nutrition support began with the first patient to receive parenteral nutrition (PN). Knowledge of intravenous fluid admixture techniques and procedures facilitated compounding a nutrient solution safe for intravenous infusion. As the use of PN grew and became more sophisticated, nutrient products, including crystalline amino acids, mul-tivitamins, lipid emulsions and trace minerals, were developed by the phar-maceutical industry to meet the need for a full spectrum of nutrients which were utilizable by the intravenous route. In addition to these nutrient products, the necessary technology for safe, cost-effective storage, admixture and administration was developed. Coincident with the advances in products and technology was the growing interest and involvement of pharmacists in the clinical and meta-bolic role of nutrition support. Phar-macists became integral participants in hospital-based multidisciplinary nutri-tion support teams. The expanding home care industry also provided a great opportunity for pharmacists to interface with patients and other health care professionals in the management of home nutrition support. As pharmacists practicing in nutri-tion support became aware of the spe-cial knowledge and skills required for their day-to-day practice, interest de-veloped in gaining recognition as board-certified specialists through the Board of Pharmaceutical Specialties (BPS). A task force co-sponsored b