epo managers

[cryptic12]

:)Our company has recently created an epo manager position. If anyone is doing or has done this job, could you please tell me how much time is involved each week, how many patients you are responsible for, and what the job entails. We are a clinic of approximately 200 patients. We adjust epogen weekly (per epo algorithm), change the orders via computer, document changes in nurses notes, and write MD orders for changes not per algorithm. On a monthy basis, we also add ferritin/venofer changes to the mix. Thanks for any info.

[GASHLEY]

I'm at a small unit that avg. 50 pts. It takes a couple of half days or a full day to review the labs, current orders, decide on changes and write the orders generally. Granted I'm new at that aspect of the job and it might take me longer that most. I don't know. I'm interested in the other responses too. Good luck.

[kidneynurse]

I am the anemia manager at my clinic. We have about 60 patients. It takes me about the same, 2 half days to review the labs, make changes then put the orders in the computer. We use Aranesp. I only adjust the dose once a month. Check with your amgen rep. I took several classes sponsered by Amgen and they taught us to change once a month. It takes about 2 weeks for the body to make RBC's, so weekly changes are jsut excess work. Are you going to be responsible for all 200 patients? That will be a lot of work. You need to have time off the floor to review labs and make changes.:typing good luck

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

I'm a mid-level in a nephrology practice and I round on pts in two HDUs. They are both FMC and both have an anemia manager. At the larger one (125 pts), it takes the RN at least one full day and perhaps another half day to do this and he does it twice a month. ON those days where he is doing anemia, he is not on the floor, only in the building.

At the smaller unit (65 pts), the anemia manager does it while he is in charge which makes it a slower process.

[cryptic12]

:wink2:Thank you all for your responses. Being new to this position, I have no experience to pull from, so all comments are very much appreciated. Eight hours just hasn't seemed to be enough time to accomplish the task and do it well in such a large clinic. I look forward to more opinions.

[Onekidneynurse]

Some computer systems do the EPO management for you. I see that happening at the 2 big companies soon.

[dialyzern]

I am a clinic manager in a 24 station Fresenius clinic with 125 pts. My anemia manager needs 2 separate days approx. 5 hours to review the labs, make the monthly changes allowed by our physician generated protocol, update the computer and write the orders. We created an order with blanks that can be filled in with the dose change and date, but have the standard order with icd-9 code, Mds name/nurses name. We arranged this in multiples like address labels that can be printed onto peel 'n stick labels. She writes the changes, peels and sticks it onto the order sheet and signs it off. It helps decrease the writer's cramp. Hope this helps. :typing

[GeauxNursing]

Some computer systems do the EPO management for you. I see that happening at the 2 big companies soon.

How cool would that be? Set your protocol (your hgb parameters, your epo scale, etc.) then the labs would download, and automatically generate the changes for you?

But actually, doesn't Snappy do that already, or something similar?

[GeauxNursing]

Wow, 200 pts is rough! For an EPO mgr, that is. Mine has around 85 patients. I don't know how she does it, with all the other clinical coordinator stuff she does for our 2 clinics.