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Hospital in the Home Iron Infusion (IV Ferric Carboxymaltose)

This Hospital in the Home program offers IV iron infusions for people who have iron deficiency anaemia.

About 

Adult Hospital in the Home (HITH) offers IV Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM, otherwise known as Ferinject®) only to patients who have iron deficiency anaemia. 

Cost 

No charge for Medicare-eligible patients. 

Eligibility criteria 

Clients within Monash Health’s primary catchment.  

Adult HITH provides IV FCM for patients who: 

  • have iron deficiency anaemia:
    • Hb < 130g/L for men and < 120g/L for women AND
    • serum ferritin < 30 ug/L
  • are pregnant:
    • with serum ferritin < 30 ug/L  AND
    • meet Monash Health criteria for an iron infusion in pregnancy
  • have iron deficiency in the setting of heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Adult HITH does not investigate the cause of iron deficiency or provide ongoing management of iron deficiency. Patients requiring investigation and follow-up should be referred to Haematology. 

A referral guideline is available to provide guidance for GPs on referrals. 

Exclusion Criteria

Adult HITH does not provide iron infusions for: 

  • patients who are not iron deficient (i.e. have serum ferritin > 30 µg/L) ​ 
  • patients who have a serum ferritin >30ug/L and no history of heart failure, chronic kidney disease or other chronic inflammatory conditions
  • patients under 18 years of age
  • requirement for other forms of iron infusions e.g.Iron polymaltose​ 
  • known history of severe allergic reaction to Ferric Carboxymaltose (FCM) 

 

Alternative services available: 

  • patients under 18 years of age should be referred to the Paediatric Haematology team. 
  • patients with severe allergies or who are not suitable for FCM should be referred to a specialist for treatment by the Day Therapy Unit or the Medical Infusion Unit. 
  • for anaemia investigation, please refer to Haematology.  

 

External referral process 

All GP referrals must be made via HealthLink. 

GP investigations to be performed 

Referrals must include the relevant pathology results, including a full blood examination and iron studies completed within the last four weeks. 

Internal referral process 

  • the internal referral process is via SMR.
  • referrals will only be accepted from medical professionals including GPs. 
  • 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