Iron deficiencies can potentially be managed by nurses

Ben Falkenmire

writer

Ben Falkenmire

Writer

Ben Falkenmire

Free course equips nurses in oral and IV treatments for iron deficiency.

Iron deficiency is a common condition in primary care affecting 12% of the population and around 40% of women under the age of 50. However, it is sometimes difficult to detect in patients clinically, and treatment can be a time-consuming process for GPs.

To help practices be able to offer iron deficient patients treatment with infusions, Dr Pradeep Jayasuriya of the WA Iron Centre recently launched an upskiller course for nurses. This course enables GPs to delegate treatment to nurses, similar to the approach GPs adopt for immunisations and wound dressing.

“An iron [infusion] lends itself to a primary care approach,” Dr Jayasuriya says. Iron deficiency is common and the majority of patients are younger women who are otherwise healthy.

“Nurses often have more time to spend with patients than GPs,” this is more relevant because an iron infusion takes some time.

The 4.5 hour CPD course educates nurses on the latest in diagnosis and treatment of iron deficiencies, including how to set up and administer intravenous treatments.

PASSWORD RESET

Forgot your password or password not working? Please enter your email address. You will receive an email with the link to set a new password.

Once you confirm you’ve read this article you can complete a Patient Case Review to earn 0.5 hours CPD in the Reviewing Performance (RP) category.

Select ‘Confirm & learn‘ when you have read this article in its entirety and you will be taken to begin your Patient Case Review.

Last chance - $155 special ends midnight Sunday!

This is your last chance to secure discounted registration to both national seminars before prices increase on Monday! You're invited to attend Australia's most popular seminars for GPs and healthcare professionals.

Upcoming Healthed Webcast

POTS – What You Need to Know

Tuesday 17th February, 7pm - 9pm AEDT

Speaker

Prof Dennis Lau

Cardiac Electrophysiologist; The Royal Adelaide Hospital; Clinical Professor, The University of Adelaide

Hear the latest evidence-based management options for POTS - a common, yet poorly recognised and misunderstood autonomic dysfunction condition in our community. Join Prof Dennis Lau for an update on POTS, who is at risk, presenting symptoms and how it can be diagnosed in the primary care setting.