Multiple Chamber Bag for Parenteral Nutrition

A triple-chamber bag for parenteral nutrition (PN) provides adult patients with the essential ingredients of a balanced nutrition: protein, carbohydrates, and lipids in a single container.

The Olimel formulation is indicated for PN for adults when oral or enteral nutrition is impossible, insufficient, or contraindicated, and offers the flexibility to meet patients' nutritional requirements while simplifying the order and preparation process. Olimel is available in multiple formulations, including a high protein concentration multichamber bag, as well as formulations that provide a proportionate amount of glucose. Olimel also contains a lipid in the form of an olive oil-based intravenous (IV) fat emulsion.


Multichamber bags with standard premix PN store the nutritional components in different sections or chambers of a bag, separated by special seals. A clinician breaks the seal between the chambers and gently mixes the solutions. Maintenance, vitamins, additional electrolytes, and trace elements are not included, and should be administered as required. With multichamber bag technology, fewer steps from preparation to administration may reduce the chance for error and the potential for touch contamination of the contents. Olimel is a product of Baxter International (Deerfield, IL, USA).

"The Olimel family of products enables clinicians to match the nutritional therapy to the patient, through a premixed bag that requires fewer steps from preparation to administration,” said Scott Luce, general manager of Baxter's global IV Therapy business. "With this latest introduction, Baxter continues to advance IV nutrition for healthcare professionals and patients through ongoing improvements in both nutritional contents and in container technology.”

The European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines stress the need to adjust protein and energy formulas based on specific patients' requirements. For example, patients who have undergone trauma (such as surgery) experience a breakdown in muscle mass to support healing, so they need protein to help replace the lost muscle mass. Hospitalized patients also need energy supplied by carbohydrates, but supplying too much can lead to hyperglycemia and could affect clinical outcomes.

Related Links:
Baxter International
European Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism