The Nova Scotia Home Parenteral Nutrition Program is located at the QEII Health Sciences Centre in Halifax. This program provides inpatients of Nova Scotia Health with the support to manage their parenteral nutrition independently at home.
Parenteral feeding is a method of delivering nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system. It's used when a person can't eat or absorb nutrients properly through eating and drinking normally. Parenteral nutrition is typically administered through a central venous catheter (CVC) inserted into a large vein, often near the collarbone or in the upper arm. The catheter provides direct access to the bloodstream for nutrient delivery.
To be accepted into the program, you must:
Accepted HPN adult patients must be transferred to the QEII as inpatients to participate in 2 to 3 weeks of teaching prior to discharge home. The Home Parenteral Nutrition team maintains regular communication with patients once home to address and manage ongoing health concerns related to parenteral nutrition.
Your home nurse coordinator will coordinate your yearly clinic visit with the home PN team at the Victoria General Hospital.
The referring gastroenterologist is responsible to complete and fax the referral form to the Home PN team at (902) 473- 3966.
The Home PN Team is based out of the Victoria General Hospital and consists of:
This pamphlet explains what to expect if you are a patient in The Nova Scotia Home Parenteral Nutrition Program for Adults.
A tunneled (Hickman™) catheter is a type of catheter (thin, hollow tube). It is an intravenous (I.V.) catheter that is put into a large vein near your heart. Topics include what a tunneled catheter is and why it is used, possible infection, supplies, changing your dressing, and caring for your tunneled catheter.
This pamphlet explains what a home parenteral nutrition (HPN) emergency plan is, and what emergency supplies you should have ready.
Much of Nova Scotia's healthcare program and service information is now available on the YourHealthNS mobile app. Download for free on the Apple Store and Android Apps for Google Play.
