Hemoglobinometry at the point of care with activation of a hospital transfusion pathway versus usual care for the early detection of anaemia in primary care: the ANHEMOG randomized controlled trial

Anaemia is a common condition associated with increased morbidity, mortality, and health resource utilization. Early detection and timely treatment are essential to improve prognosis and quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of point-of-care haemoglobinometry combined with activation of a hospital transfusion circuit compared with usual care in patients with transfusion-dependent chronic anaemia managed in primary care settings in Catalonia, Spain. A randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted between 2018 and 2021 in primary care centres of the Catalan Institute of Health. Patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group (monthly capillary haemoglobin monitoring using a haemoglobinometer and activation of a transfusion circuit) or a control group (standard venous blood monitoring according to usual practice). Descriptive statistics were calculated, and between-group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical tests. Patients in the intervention group had shorter hospital stay (median = 2 vs. 12.5 days; p = 0.319), although these differences were not statistically significant. Median values of emergency room visits were significantly lower in the intervention group (1) compared to the control group (4), p < 0.001, as was total emergency room time in hours (4 vs. 70; p < 0.001). At 12 months, quality of life scores were significantly higher in the intervention group (15 vs. -2; p < 0.001). Point-of-care haemoglobinometry combined with an organized transfusion circuit improves quality of life and reduces emergency service utilization in patients with transfusion-dependent anaemia, with important implications for clinical practice and healthcare resource optimization. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04757909. Submitted February 16, 2021.