Quality of life outcomes related to anemia management of patients with chronic renal failure.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a clinical nurse specialist-managed outpatient anemia management program on quality of life for patients with anemia related to chronic kidney disease.


METHODS
A retrospective study was conducted using information from the Medical Outcomes Short Form 36 Item Health Survey, which is completed by patients with anemia at their initial, 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month visits, and annually thereafter. Thirty-four patients completed the 3-month survey, 19 completed the 6-month survey, and 10 completed the 12-month survey.


RESULTS
There was a statistically significant increase in quality of life indicators at the 3 and 6 months' interval. The increase in physical and decrease in mental indicators were not substantiated through the 12-month interval.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality of life was significantly improved for patients in a clinical nurse specialist-managed outpatient anemia management program.
Hamilton
Reta
R
Clinton Memorial Hospital, Wilmington, Ohio, USA. retah927@hotmail.com
Hawley
Sheila
S
D000368:Aged; D000740:Anemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing*; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009738:Nursing Service, Hospital; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014481:United States