Resource utilisation and time commitment associated with correction of anaemia in cancer patients using epoetin alfa.
OBJECTIVE
This study set out to identify the resource use and time commitment associated with treatment of anaemia with erythropoietic therapy, for both haematology/oncology clinics and patients.


METHODS
The study was carried out at three haematology/oncology clinics in the US, and included 124 cancer patients with anaemia. Stages in the administration of epoetin alfa were identified (preparation, injection and documentation). At each site a trained researcher observed medical staff and recorded the time taken for each stage, in minutes, using a stopwatch. The supplies used for each stage were also recorded. Travel times, waiting times and demographics for patients and caregivers attending the clinic were obtained from self-report questionnaires during the clinic visit. In total, 177 injections of epoetin alfa were administered.


METHODS
Total mean time clinic staff and patients spent on treatment visits.


RESULTS
The total mean time expended by clinic staff for each injection, including preparation, administration, documentation and phlebotomy, was 25.5 minutes (range 18.6-31.2 at individual centres). The total mean time requirement for patients (time spent travelling to and from the clinic, time spent waiting for the epoetin alfa injection) was 83 minutes.


CONCLUSIONS
Treatments that may reduce the time burden of anaemia management should be considered.
Meehan
Kenneth R
KR
Bone Marrow Transplant Program, Section of Hematology/Oncology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756, USA. Kenneth.Meehan@Hitchcock.org
Tchekmedyian
N Simon
NS
Smith
Robert E
RE
Kallich
Joel
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000740:Anemia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017028:Caregivers; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D013997:Time Factors
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000068817:Epoetin Alfa