On the Cusp-A Questionnaire-Based Assessment of Implementing PIVOTAL Into UK Practice.

Background: Anemia is a common occurrence in people with chronic kidney disease and end-stage kidney disease. Intravenous administration of iron is standard treatment for people undergoing maintenance hemodialysis. However, until the recent PIVOTAL randomized control trial, there was uncertainty around clinically effective regimens. This study found that among incident, people receiving hemodialysis in the first year, a proactive high-dose intravenous iron regimen was superior to reactive low-dose regimen, leading to reduced mortality and cardiac events. Our study investigated whether the research and guidelines have been successfully implemented into clinical care across the United Kingdom, identified barriers experienced, and explored our local hemodialysis population's awareness of the treatment they are receiving.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey using a convenient sample of UK-based kidney physicians working in the NHS and local people receiving hemodialysis. Two preconceived, standardized questionnaires were designed.

Results: Forty physicians responded. Of these, 40% had implemented a proactive iron protocol, whereas 37.5% had not. Respondents acknowledged concerns about doses of iron and the need for local protocols. Thirty-seven patients responded to the patient questionnaire within our own hemodialysis unit. Fifty-one percent of patients reported to be receiving iron supplementation, of which 84% stated it was intravenous through their dialysis machine.

Conclusions: We have not observed a paradigm shift in clinical practice and identified poor patient understanding of their treatment. Strategies to overcome barriers are necessary to introduce treatments that offer both clinical advantages and cost savings. Eliminating futile practice is challenging due to departmental prioritization and economic considerations. Traditionally, efforts to improve care are targeted towards newer therapies; however, there is an opportunity to improve implementation of current evidence.