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Guidelines & Standards

ASPEN provides clinical guidance documents* to assist our members in providing safe nutrition care to patients. These documents are developed by content experts and approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors.

More about ASPEN clinical guidelines

Our clinical guidelines are scientific, systematically developed, evidence-based, evidence-informed documents that provide practice recommendations to guide practitioner and patient decisions about nutrition and nutrition care practice. According to the best available evidence, in the absence of evidence, guidelines systematically outline the opinions of a large collection of experienced clinicians for the purposes of unifying nutrition and nutrition care and coordinating future research efforts.

ASPEN Guidelines Program Director and Editor in Chief: Liam McKeever, PhD, RDN, FASPEN

Read more about ASPEN’s Clinical Guideline Program, including methodology and projects under development

More about other ASPEN Board of Directors-approved paper types

Our position papers present the official opinion of ASPEN on a particular topic.

Our special reports present ASPEN-generated clinical or public policy information that is important for ASPEN constituents and does not fall into any of the other categories.

Our practice standards are benchmarks for competent care performance. They define the structure and professional responsibilities needed to ensure patient safety and treatment success.

Our expert guidance documents may have different category names (i.e. consensus recommendations) as ASPEN Board-approved paper types have evolved over time. ASPEN is continually committed to producing highly rigorous clinical guidance.

Browse Guidelines & Standards

When Is Parenteral Nutrition Appropriate?

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Guidelines: The Validity of Body Composition Assessment in Clinical Populations

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Body composition

ASPEN Guidelines for the Selection and Care of Central Venous Access Devices for Adult Home Parenteral N …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Venous access, Adults, Home nutrition support, Parenteral nutrition

Guidelines for the Provision of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Adult Critically Ill Patient: The Ameri …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Critical care, Adults, Nutrition Support

Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Adult Critically Ill Pat …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Critical care, Nutrition Support, Adults

Summary of the 2021 ASPEN Adult Critical Care Guideline

Topics Include: Critical care, Adults, Nutrition Support

Supported by Baxter

Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Pediatric Critically Ill …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Critical care, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Pocket Cards: Summary of the 2017 Pediatric Critical Care Guidelines

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Critical care, Nutrition Support

ASPEN-FELANPE Guideline: Nutrition Support of Adult Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistula

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Gastroenterology, Nutrition Support, Adults

Guidelines for Parenteral Nutrition in Preterm Infants: The American Society for Parenteral and Enteral …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Neonates

Safe Practices for Parenteral Nutrition

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Parenteral formulas/compounding

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of the Critically Ill Child (2009)

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Critical care, Nutrition Support, Pediatrics

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Neonates Supported with Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenat …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Neonates, Nutrition Support, Cardiac disease

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Children with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Pediatrics, HIV, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Adult Patients with Hyperglycemia

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Adults, Diabetes, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Hyperglycemia and Hypoglycemia in the Neonate Receiving Parenteral Nutrition

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Neonates, Parenteral nutrition, Fluids-electrolytes/acid-base

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Support of Pediatric Patients with Intestinal Failure at Risk of Parenteral N …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Liver disease, Parenteral nutrition, Intestinal Failure

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Neonatal Patients at Risk for Metabolic Bone Disease

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Neonates, Nutrition Support, Fluids-electrolytes/acid-base, Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Neonatal Patients at Risk for Necrotizing Enterocolitis

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Neonates, Gastroenterology, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Hospitalized Pediatric Patients with Obesity

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Obesity, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Screening, Assessment, and Intervention in Adults

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Adults, Screening, Assessment

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Hospitalized Adult Patients with Obesity

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Adults, Obesity, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support Therapy During Adult Anticancer Treatment and in Hematopoie …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Adults, Oncology, Nutrition Support

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Parenteral Nutrition Ordering, Order Review, Compounding, Labeling, and Dispe …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Parenteral formulas/compounding, Parenteral nutrition

Clinical Guidelines for the Use of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition in Adult and Pediatric Patients (200 …

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Adults, Enteral nutrition, Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support in Adult Acute and Chronic Renal Failure

Clinical Guideline

Topics Include: Adults, Renal disease, Nutrition Support

Consensus Recommendations for Optimizing Electronic Health Records for Nutrition Care

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Informatics

Malnutrition risk screening in adult oncology outpatients: An ASPEN systematic review and clinical recom …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Oncology, Screening, Adults

Nutritional care is a human right: Translating principles to clinical practice

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Public policy, Malnutrition

Guidance for assessment of the muscle mass phenotypic criterion for the Global Leadership Initiative on …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Diagnosis

Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM): Guidance on Validation of the Operational Criteria …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Diagnosis, Adults

GLIM Criteria for the Diagnosis of Malnutrition: A Consensus Report From the Global Clinical Nutrition C …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Diagnosis

Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Entera …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Pediatrics, Diagnosis, Assessment

Consensus Statement of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics/American Society for Parenteral and Entera …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Adults, Diagnosis, Assessment

Safe care transitions for patients receiving parenteral nutrition

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Transitions of Care

ASPEN Lipid Injectable Emulsion Safety Recommendations Part 2: Neonate and Pediatric Considerations

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Neonates, Pediatrics, Lipids, Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Lipid Injectable Emulsion Safety Recommendations, Part 1: Background and Adult Considerations

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Lipids, Parenteral nutrition, Adults

ASPEN Consensus Recommendations for Refeeding Syndrome

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Refeeding Syndrome, Nutrition Support, Parenteral nutrition

Standardized Competencies for Parenteral Nutrition Administration: The ASPEN Model

Journal Article

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Administration

Standardized Competencies for Parenteral Nutrition Order Review and Parenteral Nutrition Preparation, In …

Journal Article

Topics Include: Parenteral formulas/compounding, Parenteral nutrition

Standardized Competencies for Parenteral Nutrition Prescribing

Journal Article

Topics Include: Parenteral formulas/compounding, Parenteral nutrition

Blenderized Tube Feedings: Practice Recommendations from ASPEN

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Enteral nutrition, Enteral formulas, Administration

When is enteral nutrition indicated?

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Enteral nutrition

ASPEN Safe Practices for Enteral Nutrition Therapy

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Enteral nutrition, Enteral access, Enteral formulas, Administration, Transitions of Care, Safety

Importance of public-private partnerships for nutrition support research: An ASPEN Position Paper

Topics Include: Nutrition Support, Research

Recommendations for photoprotection of parenteral nutrition for premature infants: An ASPEN position pap …

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Neonates

Ethical Aspects of Artificially Administered Nutrition and Hydration: An ASPEN Position Paper

Topics Include: Nutrition Support, Medical/Nutrition Ethics

Update on the Use of Filters for Parenteral Nutrition: An ASPEN Position Paper

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Administration

The Use of Visceral Proteins as Nutrition Markers: An ASPEN Position Paper

Topics Include: Assessment, Malnutrition, Fluids-electrolytes/acid-base

ASPEN Position Paper: Recommendations for Changes in Commercially Available Parenteral Multivitamin and …

Topics Include: Vitamins, Minerals/Trace Elements, Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Position Paper: Clinical Role for Alternative Intravenous Fat Emulsions

Topics Include: Lipids, Parenteral nutrition, Parenteral formulas/compounding

ASPEN Position Paper: Parenteral Nutrition Glutamine Supplementation

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Minerals/Trace Elements, Protein

Disease-Related Malnutrition and Enteral Nutrition Therapy: A Significant Problem with a Cost-Effective …

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Enteral nutrition, Public policy

ASPEN Statement on Aluminum in Parenteral Nutrition Solutions

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Minerals/Trace Elements

ASPEN Definitions in Pediatric Intestinal Failure

Journal Article

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Intestinal Failure

Enteral and Parenteral Order Writing Survey – A Collaborative Evaluation Between the Academy of Nu …

Journal Article

Topics Include: Enteral nutrition, Parenteral nutrition

ASPEN Research Agenda 2018

Journal Article

Topics Include: Nutrition Support, Research

ASPEN Definition of Terms, Style, and Conventions Used in ASPEN Board of Directors-Approved Documents

Resources for the Provision of Nutrition Support to Children in Educational Environments

Journal Article

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Nutrition Support, Administration

ASPEN Research Agenda 2013

Journal Article

Topics Include: Nutrition Support, Research

Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition: Revised 20 …

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

Standards for Nutrition Support: Adult Hospitalized Patients

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Adults, Nutrition Support

Standards of Nutrition Care Practice and Professional Performance for Nutrition Support and Generalist N …

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

Standards of Practice for Nutrition Support Pharmacists

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

ASPEN Standards for Nutrition Support: Home and Alternate Site Care

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Home nutrition support

Standards for Nutrition Support: Pediatric Hospitalized Patients

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Pediatrics, Nutrition Support

Standards of Practice for Nutrition Support Physicians

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics: Revised 20 …

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

Standards for Nutrition Support: Adult Hospitalized Patients (2010)

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support, Adults

Standards of Practice for Nutrition Support Nurses (2007)

Practice Standard

Topics Include: Nutrition Support

ASPEN Parenteral Nutrition Safety Consensus Recommendations

Journal Article

Topics Include: Parenteral nutrition, Parenteral formulas/compounding

Pediatric Nasogastric Tube Placement and Verification: Best Practice Recommendations From the NOVEL Proj …

Journal Article

Topics Include: Enteral access, Pediatrics, Enteral nutrition

Guidance for the Assessment of the Inflammation Etiologic Criterion for the GLIM Diagnosis of Malnutriti …

Expert Guidance

Topics Include: Malnutrition, Assessment

A.S.P.E.N. Ethics Position Paper

Topics Include: Medical/Nutrition Ethics, Nutrition Support

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See a list of ASPEN-endorsed documents

ASPEN endorses these key resources from other organizations that align with our mission, scope of practice, and quality standards:

Cardenas D, Correia MITD, Ochoa JB, et al. Clinical Nutrition and Human Rights. An International Position Paper. Nutr Clin Pract. 2021;36(3):534-544. doi:10.1002/ncp.10667
Baskin KM, Mermel LA, Saad TF, et al. Evidence-Based Strategies and Recommendations for Preservation of Central Venous Access in Children. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2019;43(5):591-614. doi:10.1002/jpen.1591
Mechanick JI, Apovian C, Brethauer S, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Perioperative Nutrition, Metabolic, And Nonsurgical Support Of Patients Undergoing Bariatric Procedures – 2019 Update: Cosponsored By American Association Of Clinical Endocrinologists/American College Of Endocrinology, The Obesity Society, American Society For Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery, Obesity Medicine Association, and American Society Of Anesthesiologists – Executive Summary Endocr Pract. 2019;25(12):1346-1359. doi:10.4158/GL-2019-0406
Mirtallo JM, Forbes A, McClave SA, et al. International consensus guidelines for nutrition therapy in pancreatitis. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2012;36(3):284-291. doi:10.1177/0148607112440823
Jensen GL, Mirtallo J, Compher C, et al. Adult starvation and disease-related malnutrition: a proposal for etiology-based diagnosis in the clinical practice setting from the International Consensus Guideline Committee. JPEN J Parenter Enteral Nutr. 2010;34(2):156-159. doi:10.1177/0148607110361910

*These clinical guidance documents do not constitute medical or other professional advice and should not be taken as such. To the extent that the information herein may be used to assist in the care of patients, this is the result of the sole professional judgment of the attending healthcare professional whose judgment is the primary component of quality medical care. The information presented in these documents is not a substitute for the exercise of such judgment by the healthcare professional. These documents have been developed and reviewed by ASPEN committees or task forces and approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors.