Objective:

To assess blood phosphorus levels before, during and after medical and nurse-medical interventions.

Material and Method:

Quasi-experimental, analytical, longitudinal and prospective study in a population of hospital hemodialysis patients. The study lasted 18 months in which nurses and doctors monitored the prescription of phosphorus chelators during different months. Data on analytical results were collected and dietary guidelines were reinforced by the nurses. The Morisky Green test was administered to assess adherence to treatment, as well as a checklist to assess the side effects of the chelators.

Results:

A total of 19 patients were studied. The phosphorus levels (median; interquartile range) were: (4.8; 1.3) mg/dl in the previous period, (4.5; 1.9) mg/dl in the physician period and (4.5; 0.9 mg/dl) in the nurse-physician period. The results were compared between the different periods and no statistically significant differences were observed between the phosphorus levels. Nor were differences in these levels observed when separating compliant and non-compliant patients.

Conclusions:

Although no significant differences were found, a decrease in phosphorus was observed with continuous dietary reinforcement by nurses. It is therefore concluded that nurses, together with medical support, could be involved in the monthly phosphorus prescription and control of the unit’s patients.