The results of a national survey of hospital-based home parenteral nutrition (HPN) programs are reported. Questionnaires were mailed to 70 hospitals that were though to have HPN programs. The response rate was 90%, with 51 (73%) usable questionnaires. The "typical" hospital providing HPN services was a private, nonprofit greater-than-400-bed, university-affiliated teaching hospital. HPN programs had been in operation a mean of three years; most served two patients or less. Hospital pharmacies prepared the nutrition solutions 57% of the time; in 25% of the programs, the fluids were prepared at home. Most HPN programs had patient education and training activities. Pharmacists and physicians were most commonly responsible fo monitoring patients' laboratory results. Most HPN programs (90%) were reimbursed for solutions and supplies; 20% were reimbursed for patient education.