Anemia management practices in peritoneal dialysis patients. Case study of the anemic patient.

The National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Disease Outcomes Quality Initiative recommends a target hemoglobin (Hb) level of 11 to 12 g/dL (hematocrit [Hct] of 33% to 36%) for both peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis patients. However, national tracking data indicate that peritoneal dialysis patients have consistently lower Hb/Hct levels. This article focuses on anemia management challenges that are unique to the peritoneal dialysis population....