The impact of nurse-led education on haemodialysis patients' phosphate binder medication adherence
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Published on: April 12, 2021
Kimberly Sandlin1, Paul N Bennett, Cherene Ockerby
1Moorabbin Dialysis Unit, Southern Health, Melbourne, Australia. kimberly.sandlin@southernhealth.org.au
Background:
Phosphate binder medication adherence is required to maintain optimal phosphate levels and minimise bone disease in people with end stage kidney disease.
Objectives:
To examine the impact of a nurse-led education intervention on bone disorder markers, adherence to phosphate binder medication and medication knowledge.
Design:
Descriptive study with a paired pre-post intervention survey.
Participants:
Adults receiving haemodialysis.
Methods:
Twelve-week intervention where patients self-administered their phosphate binder medication at each dialysis treatment. Nurses provided individualised education. Patients completed a pre- and post-intervention survey designed to explore their knowledge of phosphate binders.
Results:
There were no statistically significant changes in clinical markers but a significant improvement in the proportion of patients who took their phosphate binder correctly, increasing from 44 to 72% (p = 0.016). There were moderate to large effect size changes for improved knowledge.
Conclusions:
A nurse-led intervention education programme can increase patients' phosphate binder adherence. However, this does not necessarily manifest into improved serum phosphate levels.
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