Correcting preoperative iron deficiency as part of patient blood management in the ‘real world’: results of an audit on an Australian cohort

Abstract

BackgroundThe perioperative module of the Australian Patient Blood Management guidelines recommended preoperative iron therapy for surgical patients with, or at risk of, iron deficiency anaemia. After implementing a preoperative haemoglobin optimization programme in our institution, an audit was undertaken to evaluate the benefit of preoperative iron therapy in ‘real world’ clinical practice.MethodsElective major surgery patients assessed in surgical pre‐admission clinics from 1 July 2013 to 30 June 2014 were screened for iron deficiency and anaemia. Those who were iron deficient (ferritin <30 μg/l), regardless of haemoglobin level, received either daily oral iron supplementation until day o..