This Hospital in the Home (HITH) program offers only short iron infusions for patients with iron deficiency anaemia.
About
Monash Health Adult Hospital in the Home (HITH) provides a limited iron infusion service for inpatients referred by specialist teams only.
From 30 June 2026, only referrals from inpatient specialist teams will be eligible. GP referrals will no longer be accepted.
Eligibility Criteria
HITH iron infusion referrals are now restricted to inpatients referred by specialist Monash Health teams meeting the following eligibility criteria:
Category 1 – Iron Deficiency
Oral iron is contraindicated or enteric absorption is impaired, AND the patient meets one of the following:
- Ferritin <30 µg/L OR
- Ferritin <200 µg/L AND transferrin saturation <20%, in patients with heart failure or chronic kidney disease
Category 2 – Pregnancy
ALL of the following criteria must be met:
- Ferritin <30 µg/L
- Meets Monash Health criteria for an iron infusion in pregnancy
- No haemoglobin response after a trial of oral iron
Alternative Service
- For patients requiring long iron infusions (e.g. iron polymaltose)
- Patients not meeting criteria above can be referred to community providers.
- Patients under 18 years of age should be referred to the Paediatric Haematology team
Cost
No charge for Medicare-eligible patients.
External referral process
No external referrals accepted
Internal referral process
- The internal referral process is via SMR.
- Referrals will only be accepted from medical professionals.
- Options:
- Urgent < 4 weeks
- Routine > 4 weeks
When
Iron infusions are completed onsite at one of the Adult HITH clinics. Appointments are generally between 8:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. seven days a week.
Where
- Casey Hospital Berwick
- Dandenong Hospital
- Monash Medical Centre Clayton
- Moorabbin Hospital