Management of Anemia by Severity
Click on a card to reveal the management plan.
Mild Anemia
Hb 10.0 - 12.9 g/dL
Usually managed in a primary care setting with a focus on investigation and oral therapies.
Management Plan
- Setting: Outpatient / Klinik Kesihatan.
- Urgency: Non-urgent.
- Actions: Focus on thorough history, investigate cause (FBC, Iron/B12/Folate), and start oral replacement therapy.
Moderate Anemia
Hb 8.0 - 9.9 g/dL
Requires a more urgent workup. Admission may be considered if the patient is symptomatic or has comorbidities.
Management Plan
- Setting: Urgent Outpatient or Admission.
- Urgency: Urgent investigation.
- Actions: Admit if symptomatic. Consider IV iron for faster correction or intolerance to oral meds.
Severe Anemia
Hb 6.5 - 7.9 g/dL
Warrants hospital admission for stabilization, potential transfusion, and aggressive investigation.
Management Plan
- Setting: Hospital Admission.
- Urgency: Inpatient Management.
- Actions: Secure IV access. Transfuse if Hb < 7.0 g/dL or patient is symptomatic/unstable. Investigate cause urgently.
Life-Threatening
Hb < 6.5 g/dL
A medical emergency requiring immediate resuscitation and transfusion to prevent cardiovascular collapse.
Management Plan
- Setting: Emergency Dept ➝ HDU/ICU.
- Urgency: Medical Emergency.
- Actions: Resuscitate (ABC). Transfuse immediately with cross-matched or emergency O-neg blood. Diagnosis is secondary to stabilization.