Iron Deficiency Screening and Treatment in Hospitalized HFrEF Patients: A Quality Improvement Initiative.

Publication/Presentation Date

5-13-2026

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Iron deficiency affects up to half of patients with heart failure and is associated with worse symptoms, quality of life, and clinical outcomes, even in the absence of anemia. Contemporary guidelines recommend routine screening and intravenous (IV) iron therapy for eligible patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), yet real-world adoption remains limited.

PROJECT RATIONALE: Given persistently low screening and treatment rates, we sought to improve inpatient iron deficiency screening and IV iron use among patients hospitalized with acute HFrEF at a community teaching hospital.

PROJECT SUMMARY: We implemented a multifaceted quality-improvement intervention incorporating an IV iron order set, targeted provider education, and unit-based visual reminders. Compared with a 6-month preintervention period, iron deficiency screening increased from 28.7% to 40.6%, and overall IV iron use more than doubled from 8.5% to 17.5%.

TAKE-HOME MESSAGES: System-based interventions can meaningfully improve the delivery of guideline-directed care in hospitalized heart failure patients. Continued efforts are needed to address remaining gaps and ensure sustained adoption of these guidelines.

Volume

31

Issue

19

First Page

107744

Last Page

107744

ISSN

2666-0849

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

41954538

Department(s)

Fellows and Residents

Document Type

Article

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS