The impact of nurse-led education on haemodialysis patients' phosphate binder medication adherence

<b>Background </b>Phosphate binder medication adherence is required to maintain optimal phosphate levels and minimise bone disease in people with end stage kidney disease.<br /><br /><b>Objectives </b>To examine the impact of a nurse-led education intervention on bone disorder markers, adherence to phosphate binder medication and medication knowledge.<br /><br /><b>Design </b>Descriptive study with a paired pre–post intervention survey.<br /><br /><b>Participants </b>Adults receiving haemodialysis.<br /><br /><b>Methods </b>Twelve-week intervention where patients self-administered their phosphate binder medication at each dialysis treatment. Nurses provided individualised education. Patients completed a pre- and post-intervention survey designed to explore their knowledge of phosphate binders.<br /><br /><b>Results </b>There were no statistically significant changes in clinical markers but a significant improvement in the proportion of patients who took their phosphate binder correctly, increasing from 44 to 72% (p = 0.016). There were moderate to large effect size changes for improved knowledge.<br /><br /><b>Conclusions </b>A nurse-led intervention education programme can increase patients' phosphate binder adherence. However, this does not necessarily manifest into improved serum phosphate levels.<br />