Treating iron deficiency anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
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Treating Iron Deficiency Anemia in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Karen Jenkins (2013) acknowledges the popular utilization of oral and intravenous iron supplementation as treatment of iron deficiency anemia (IDA). However, despite the increased guidelines for health professionals, mainly in managing chronic kidney disease (CKD), renal nurses ought to select the relevant iron supplementation for the patients (Jenkins, 2013). Consequently, the article analyses the cost implications that are involved in the processes of oral and intravenous iron supplementation using existing evidence on both approaches.
Based on the collected evidence, Jenkins (2013) compares the cost implications of treating iron deficiency anemia using oral and IV iron. Firstly, she notes that despite being the cheapest form of treatment, oral iron is not the most efficient approach for people with CKD. Conversely, it does not require clinical assistance and can be self-administered at home making it fairly accessible. As for IV iron, Jenkins highlights that the cost and availability are factors of concern in the service’s development (Jenkins, 2013). However, the treatment mostly involves a single visit to a healthcare institution for a one-time administration. Even so, the aspect of hemodialysis (HD) reception comes into play as a determinant of the best choice for treating IDA.
Resolutely, Jenkins (2013) concludes that given the increased possibility of treating IDA among people with CKD, HD and non-HD populations should both access the most effectual and suitable treatment.

Moreover, the cost and route of administration should be the primary factors considered. The findings and arguments of the paper agree with the guidelines’ recommendations that to achieve optimum hemoglobin levels HD patients should utilize IV iron while non-HD patients should combine IV and oral forms of treatment (Jenkins, 2013). Still, these guidelines ought to ensure the maintenance and storage of adequate iron levels. Finally, iron monitoring and medication reviews should be regular as positive contributions to the availability of appropriate treatment for IDA and CKD patients (Jenkins, 2013).
References
Jenkins, K. (2013). Treating iron deficiency Anemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. Journal of Renal Nursing, 5(4), 170-177.