Role of nephrology pharmacists in the management of anemia in outpatient dialysis units: A Canadian model .

INTRODUCTION: Hemodialysis patients frequently suffer from anemia. Proper utilization of therapies such as iron and erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) is crucial to attain symptom management and established hemoglobin targets. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and financial impact of nephrology-trained pharmacists on anemia management in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective study of outpatient hemodialysis patients observed between January 2010 and December 2011. In December 2010, pharmacists were tasked to manage anemia under a medical directive. Primary endpoints were compared across years using a mixed-effects model strategy. An unstructured random effects correlation matrix was utilized to capture patient-level variation in 2010 and 2011, separately. RESULTS: Of 202 patients identified, 163 contributed in both years, 57% were males, aged 65.18 ± 16.3 years. Hemoglobin levels were 10.95 ± 0.95 and 10.83 ± 0.94 g/dL in 2010 vs. 2011, respectively (p = 0.158), while the transfusion rate was 1.3% and 1.8%, respectively (p = 0.196). Ferritin levels of 273.5 ± 22 and 317.1 ± 12 ng/mL (p = 0.0019), iron saturation 0.30 ± 0.11 and 0.30 ± 0.05 (p = 0.838), and parenteral iron dose of 215.4 ± 100.2 and 317.1 ± 123.7 mg, respectively (p = 0.996), were identified. Finally, the average weekly ESA dose in 2010 was higher and trending up as compared to 2011 where it significantly trended down. The amount of intravenous erythropoietin alfa was 12,315.6 ± 76 vs. 11,364.1 ± 52 units/week, respectively (p = 0.0556) with expenditure of 2.8 million Canadian dollars in 2010 vs. 2.3 million Canadian dollars in 2011. CONCLUSION: The participation of a nephrology pharmacist resulted in favorable outcomes in dose optimization, decreased expenditure, and positive trends in therapeutic goal achievement.
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