Over 30 members of the Calea and Fresenius Kabi nursing team attended a study day focused on parenteral nutrition in paediatric patients. The study day was held in Ashby-de-la-Zouch in October.
Elaine Neil, Clinical Excellence Manager, introduced the day and welcomed the nurses and stated that ‘the day has been designed to increase knowledge and in turn further enhance our homecare service for paediatric patients’.
Dr. Wiskin presenting an overview of paediatric parenteral nutrition
Dr Anthony Wiskin, Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist, from Bristol Royal Hospital for Children gave an overview of paediatric nutrition and related conditions. He provided an insightful talk highlighting the way in which parenteral nutrition is used as a treatment for a range of conditions that affect children including gastroschisis, malrotation and pseudo obstruction. Dr Wiskin also highlighted the importance of the multi-disciplinary team to help with the transition from hospital to home.
Alison Healeas, Team Leader North conducting a workshop on understanding paediatric parenteral nutrition
Michelle Short, Paediatric Gastroenterology Dietitian, from Nottingham Children’s Hospital provided an educational talk from a dietitian’s perspective. She discussed the need to include around 30% enteral nutrition alongside parenteral nutrition where possible in children. Michelle also discussed the importance of hydration status in children and the need to support the family in advance of discharging a patient from hospital.
Mike Rawley, Lead Pharmasist, from Fresenius Kabi and Calea discussed prescribing parenteral nutrition in paediatrics and highlighted the complex process in prescription managem
ent and dispensary. He also discussed some of the key quality checks that are in place within the pharmacy team.
The afternoon sessions consisted of several workshops designed to help the nurses on the course to further improve our nursing service for paediatric patients and their family.
Ana from Molly Olly’s Wishes, a charity providing wishes for children with any terminal or life threatening illness, attended the meeting to display a range of items designed to support the emotional wellbeing of the child and their family. For more information see www.mollyolly.co.uk
The study day was organised by the Calea and Fresenius Kabi Paediatric focus group who plan on rolling out the training to the nurses and external healthcare professionals across the UK.
