The development of a nurse-led iron deficiency anaemia service in a district general hospital

Abstract

OBJECTIVE To improve the quality of care provided to patients with iron deficiency anaemia (IDA). DESIGN Service development. SETTING District General Hospital. PATIENTS Adults with IDA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Descriptive report of the practicalities and benefits of establishing an IDA clinic. CONCLUSIONS The IDA clinic is a novel service development which enhances the management of patients with this common condition, by facilitating prompt confirmation of the diagnosis, replacement therapy and investigation for serious underlying pathology, in particular gastrointestinal malignancy.