What's in the A.S.P.E.N. Documents Library?
A.S.P.E.N. Documents Library Table of Contents
Clinical Guidelines
Clinical guidelines are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate nutrition care for specific clinical circumstances. (Institute of Medicine) Clinical Guidelines define the role of specific diagnostic and treatment modalities in the diagnosis and management of patients. Clinical Guidelines contain recommendations that are based on evidence from a rigorous systematic review and evaluation of the published medical literature. These guidelines may include categories outlined by the National Guideline ClearinghouseTM such as screening, evaluation, assessment of therapeutic effectiveness, management, rehabilitation, risk assessment, technology assessment, or treatment relating either to a specific disease or condition or to a therapy.
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The A.S.P.E.N. Clinical Guidelines are being updated and published one topic at a time in order to ensure that we have up-to-date information for our members and the healthcare community.
Standards
Standards are benchmarks representing a range of performance of competent care that should be provided to assure safe and efficacious nutrition care. Standards are documents that define the structure needed to provide competent care. They usually address professional responsibilities as they relate to patient assessment, education, care plan development, implementation, clinical monitoring, evaluation, and professional issues. A.S.P.E.N. publishes discipline-based (e.g., dietitian, nurse, pharmacist, or physician) and practice-based (e.g., adult hospitalized patients, pediatric hospitalized patients, home care, long-term care) standards. Standards are presented in the most generic terms possible. The details of specific tests, therapies, and protocols are left to the discretion of individual healthcare facilities. Each healthcare facility shall strive to provide the best nutrition support care that is possible given the resources of the organization. The standards aim to assure sound and efficient nutrition care for those in need of nutrition support therapy.
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Position Papers
A document that presents the official opinion of A.S.P.E.N. on a particular topic. These papers include a comprehensive review of the literature supporting the position taken.
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Bundle
A structured method of improving the processes of patient care and patient outcomes. This is typically implemented as a small set of specific practices (three to five) that have been proven to improve outcomes when performed together and reliably.
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Related Links
2010 Definition of Terms, Style, and Conventions Used in A.S.P.E.N. Board of Directors-Approved Documents
2005 Standards and Guidelines Survey Article
Parenteral Nutrition Safe Practices: Results of the 2006 A.S.P.E.N. Survey
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