OBJECTIVE: Estimate the provider time allocated to the management of anaemia with rHuEPO in dialysis centres throughout Europe. METHOD: The same time and motion protocol was used in nine dialysis centres in five European countries (Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain and Italy). Structured interviews with key personnel were used to obtain an overview of all rHuEPO related activities performed by physician, nurse, health auxiliaries, lab and pharmacy personnel. Strict start and end points were defined for frequent activities (n/week >1). Time devoted to these activities was measured by a trained centre nurse with a chronometer. Time devoted to less frequent activities (n/week<1) was estimated from interviews. Nurse and physician time analysis by dialysis centre is reported. To compare time measured across the different centres, activities were regrouped into three main tasks for nurses (rHuEPO administration; blood sampling; other rHuEPO management) and two for physicians (anaemia monitoring and drug & blood prescription). RESULTS: Average time for rHuEPO management per session by nurse and physician combined was 3 min 52 sec (Min: 1 min 47 sec; Max: 6 min 34 sec). The observed time differences were explained by the differences in tasks to be accomplished by nurses such as getting drug and lab prescriptions, lab results, supplies, billing the drug, getting the drug from pharmacy. Estimated average time per year for rHuEPO management of 50 dialysis patients with 3 rHuEPO sessions per week is therefore 503 hours ((3.87 min x 50 x 3 x 52)/60). Switching to one session per week with darbepoetin alfa (Aranesp(tm)) will gain an estimated 350 hours per year for nurse and physician combined. CONCLUSION: With fewer injections needed with Aranesp(tm) for anaemia management in dialyses centres, substantial time gain per year may occur in each centre.