title: Epoetin alfa: focus on maintaining a higher, stable, Hct. Case study of the anemic patient.
abstract: Clinical evidence indicates that maintaining a stable hematocrit (Hct) higher in the target range of 30% to 36% can lead to improvement in overall patient outcomes. On the basis of these data, a recent analysis by the Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative Anemia Work Group has recommended a target Hct of 33% to 36% (hemoglobin 11 g/dl to 12 g/dl). Maintaining a stable Hct higher in the target range provides nurses and other dialysis clinicians with two benefits: improved patient care and decreased time and costs for patient management. This article focuses on the data supporting such a policy. Clinical practices from two prominent dialysis centers are presented as models of good anemia management.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brattich
mesh_terms: D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D001835:Body Weight; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006304:Health Status; D006397:Hematinics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications*; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D006397:Hematinics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa