Mass. Anemia Management and Infusion Services, Phyllis Harrison, RN

Anemia Management & Infusion Services

Phyllis Harrison, RN Anemia & Infusion Director, administering an infusion to a patient

Anemia is a condition in which a patient is deficient in red blood cells that are responsible for carrying oxygen to the body's vital organs. The symptoms of anemia often include worsening fatigue, shortness of breath and more difficulty performing prolonged exercise. There are many different causes of anemia and your doctor will perform testing to help identify the cause. One common cause is chronic kidney disease, a condition that can affect your body's ability to produce – and respond to – a naturally occurring hormone called erythropoietin ("Epo"). Patients suffering from anemia of chronic kidney disease may benefit from the administration of medications known as erythropoietin stimulating agents ("ESAs") which have been shown to help improve patients' quality of life and reduce the need for blood transfusions.

Kidney Care's Infusion Clinic is staffed by two on-site registered nurses trained in the administration of medications and testing procedures in order to assist you with the diagnosis and treatment of numerous conditions to include:

Erythropoietin stimulating agents (ESAs) for the treatment of chronic kidney disease-related anemia
Intravenous (IV) iron (often more effective and better tolerated than oral iron supplements) for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia
Intravenous diuretics for patients experiencing severe exacerbations of fluid overload or congestive heart failure
Intravenous fluids for the patient experiencing severe forms of dehydration
Intravenous medications used for transplant immunosuppression as well as the treatment of certain severe kidney diseases
Influenza, pneumonia and hepatitis B vaccination
Frequent blood pressure monitoring and weight checks for those patients unable to perform testing at home
Laboratory and infusion testing for patients with certain electrolyte and blood pressure disorders
24 hour ambulatory blood pressure testing for complex hypertension

Lili Quiterio, RN, BSN

Lili graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in nursing from American International College in Springfield, MA. While attending nursing school, she worked as a patient care technician at a local dialysis unit. She remained at the same unit where she accelerated her career path as charge nurse to director of nursing. During her 14 years at the dialysis unit, she took great pride in providing her patients with safe and effective patient care, patient satisfaction and education at a level that was easy to understand and comforting to all her patients. Lili joined the nephrology private practice in 2014 where she was able to educate and assist patients with their care associated with chronic kidney disease. Lili also has a special interest in the kidney world as she has personally experienced the full circle of kidney disease, from chronic kidney disease to dialysis to transplantation.

Lili and her husband live in western MA with their three girls. She enjoys the beach, spending time with her family and loves Portuguese dancing. Lili is fluent in both Portuguese and Spanish.