Resources for Clinicians Caring for Patients with Coronavirus

Nutrition care is vital, particularly in patients with infections. Below are COVID-19 nutrition support resources from ASPEN and our clinical and industry partners. We are providing these important resources to everyone for free. To support and join ASPEN in our mission to improve patient care by advancing the science and practice of clinical nutrition, please consider becoming a member.

Updated October 7, 2022. Bookmark this page and check back regularly for updates and new content.

Recommendations | Enteral Nutrition | Parenteral Nutrition | Educational Resources

Journal Articles | Patient Stories | ASPEN in the News

Recommendations from ASPEN and Other Professional Organizations

Feeding the Patient with Obesity in the Critical Care Setting: A Case-Based Application
Dietary Supplements in the Time of COVID-19, National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements
Nutritional management of individuals with obesity and COVID-19: ESPEN expert statements and practical guidance, ESPEN Endorsed Recommendation
Caring for Critically Ill Children With Suspected or Proven Coronavirus Disease 2019 Infection, Recommendations by the Scientific Sections’ Collaborative of the European Society of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care
Recomendaciones de la Academia Nacional de Medicina de Colombia sobre Alimentación y Nutrición frente a la infección por SARSCoV2- COVID-19, Academia Nacional de Medicina de Colombia
Ethical Framework for Nutrition Support Resource Allocation During Shortages: Lessons From COVID‐19, Nutrition in Clinical Practice, June 2020, Barrocas et al.
ASPEN Report on Nutrition Support Practice Processes with COVID-19: The First Response, ASPEN, May 2020. In Spanish
Nutrition Therapy in the Patient with COVID-19 Disease Requiring ICU Care, ASPEN. In Spanish
Nutrition and Hydration: Key Weapons in the Fight Against COVID-19, ASPEN Recommendations for Non-ICU COVID-19 Patients. In Spanish
Nutrition and Hydration: Quick Facts for COVID-19 Patients, ASPEN Recommendations for Non-ICU COVID-19 Patients. In Spanish
ESPEN Expert Statements and Practical Guidance for Nutritional Management of Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 Infection, Clinical Nutrition, April 2020, Barazzoni R et al.
Declaraciones de Expertos ESPEN Y Orientación Práctica para el Manejo Nutricional de Individuos con Infección SARS-CoV-2, Clinical Nutrition, April 2020, Barazzoni R et al.
British Association for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition COVID-19 Resources, BAPEN
Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Pediatric Critically Ill Patient, JPEN 2017 Vol 41, Issue 5, Nilesh M. Mehta, MD et al.
Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutrition Support Therapy in the Adult Critically Ill Patient, JPEN 2016 Vol 40, Issue 2, Stephen A. McClave MD et al.

Enteral Nutrition (EN)

ASPEN EN Care Pathway: Steps and resources for managing critically ill adult patients requiring enteral nutrition (EN), starting at needs assessment through transition out of the ICU.
Managing EN Supplies During Increased Demand: Suggestions and information on potential enteral supply challenges.
Supply News from EN Industry: These updates from our industry partners are for information only. ASPEN does not endorse these statements and suggests you contact the industry partner with any questions.

Parenteral Nutrition (PN)

Managing PN Supply During Increased Demand: Some clinicians have reported an increased use of multi-chamber bag parenteral nutrition (MCB-PN) products as they require fewer pharmacy resources to prepare and those resources are being used elsewhere for other pharmacy acute care services. Here is information on MCB-PN:

Multi-Chamber Bag Parenteral Nutrition Video Series
MCB-PN product sheets*: Baxter Clinimix and ClinimixE; Fresenius-Kabi Kabiven and Perikabiven

*This is for information only. ASPEN does not endorse these products.

FDA Provides Compounding Flexibility
According to ASHP, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced clarifications for compounding of drugs in shortage and compounding in hospitals. Specifically, FDA announced that it will not enforce the one-mile radius requirement from the agency's 2016 Hospital and Health System Compounding Draft Guidance. This clarification was not time-limited and it is anticipated to remain in effect after the national emergency ends. FDA also clarified which drugs it designates as not "commercially available," meaning that these drugs can be compounded by 503A and 503B pharmacies. FDA further noted that it would not be enforcing the 5% limit on interstate distribution of compounded drugs until after the draft Memorandum of Understanding takes effect.

ISMP Newsletter: Anticipated Shortage of Smart Infusion Pumps

PPE Practices for Sterile Compounding During COVID-19: FDA Guidance

Supply News from PN Industry: These updates from our industry partners are for information only. ASPEN does not endorse these statements and suggests you contact the industry partner with any questions.