Table 1.

Mean observed times to complete the nine-step erythropoiesis-stimulating agent administration process with or without chemotherapy included in the patient visit

Task	ESA + chemotherapy (n = 37)	ESA-only (n = 36)	Haemoglobin check-only
Patient registration/check-in	3.0 (0.0–8.3)	2.2 (1.1–3.4)	2.2
Phlebotomy	3.7 (2.0–5.5)	3.6 (2.3–4.8)	3.6
Laboratory	7.0 (3.0–10.9)	6.7 (4.4–9.1)	6.7
Chart retrieval	0.3 (0.1–0.5)	0.3 (0.2–0.4)	0.3
Patient counselling, preparation and evaluation of vital signs	2.3 (1.7–2.9)	2.3 (1.9–2.7)
ESA preparation	1.1 (–3.2 to –5.5)	1.4 (0.8–1.9)
ESA administration and documentation	1.4 (0.3–2.5)	1.3 (0.9–1.8)
Patient billing	1.7 (0.4–3.0)	1.7 (0.5–2.9)	1.7
Patient appointment scheduling	2.7 (0.7–4.8)	2.0 (0.3–3.6)	2.0
Total time to complete all tasks	23.2 (16.8–29.6)	21.5 (14.4–28.8)	16.5

Data are given as the mean number of minutes observed to complete the task (95 % CI)

ESA erythropoiesis-stimulating agent