ABSTRACT
Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) is an expensive form of therapy. In-hospital patient costs may be covered by government support or by third-party insurance. Home care therapy however is most likely to become a financial burden for the patient, particularly since private insurance companies usually resist covering such costs. The major costs of home care TPN services include the cost of solutions, infusion equipment, dressing supplies, and certain equipment for the preparation, storage, and administration of solutions. Various reports in the literature show that costs vary according to the composition of the solutions and the type of equipment used for the infusion of the nutrient solutions. The home care TPN program at the Toronto General Hospital (TGH) is financed by the Government of Ontario Ministry of Health and is classified as a life support program. The cost accounting of home care TPN at TGH is the responsibility of the Pharmaceutical Services.
