How specialist nurse-led care can help to lower the costs of prophylaxis

Abstract

Prophylaxis with factor VIII concentrates is beneficial for adults with severe haemophilia A, but prophylaxis regimens are costly. Guidelines recommend personalised prophylaxis tailored to bleeding phenotype and the result of pharmacokinetic assessments. This article describes a project in which specialist nurses played a pivotal role in identifying a small cohort of patients eligible for dose reduction. Nurses monitored patients following dose reduction, maintaining contact in order to address fears and ensure patient safety. The project led to a substantial cost saving for the Trust and demonstrates the value that nurses can bring to the haemophilia centre.

The role of the specialist nurse in comprehensive care for bleeding disorders in Europe: An integrative review

“…Specific tasks include liaison with laboratory staff to ensure timely processing of samples, 37 coordination of switches between treatment products 38,39 and organising home care 40,41 . This role can also extend to ensuring healthcare activities are covered by regulations and insurers 42 . Nurse communication with all relevant HCPs is essential to ensuring that PwBD receive time‐critical medicines 43 .…”

“…40,41 This role can also extend to ensuring healthcare activities are covered by regulations and insurers. 42 Nurse communication with all relevant HCPs is essential to ensuring that PwBD receive time-critical medicines. 43 Nurses play a central role in coordinating clinical care and logistics for surgical procedures, ensuring that treatment plans are understood and followed.…”