Iron-deficiency anaemia: developing a nurse-led integrated care pathway.

Current investigation of asymptomatic iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) is considered incomplete and inappropriate (BSG 2000). Previous investigation has focused on specific sinister features, but IDA can be the sole presenting symptom of serious underlying pathology and systematic investigation of patients with IDA is of prime importance. While participating in a management education scheme by open learning (MESOL) in association with the NHS Executive, Open University and Institute of Healthcare Management, the author undertook a project to evaluate the investigation of IDA within a district general hospital using evolving evidence to reconfigure existing services.