Infection is a significant hazard, and disseminated fungal infection has been a particularly frequent and dread complication of total parenteral nutrition. Rates of septicemia as high as 27% have been reported. A survey by the Center for Disease Control and a review of the literature indicate that the risk of infection can be substantially reduced if stringent infection control measures are practiced. Accordingly, the Center's Hospital Infections Section has developed infection control guidelines for total parenteral nutrition programs.