Background: Hospital acquired anemia (HAA) is one of the most common intensive care
unit (ICU) acquired complications that associated with poor outcomes, increase morbidity and
mortality for critically ill patients. Factors contribute to its development include profound loss of
RBCs or insufficient RBCs production. Aim of the study: to assess factors contributing to HAA
among critical ill patients. Design: A descriptive exploratory design was utilized. Setting: The
study was carried in Beni –Suief university hospital inside the critical care units which include;
general ICU, cardio care unit (CCU) and chest ICU. Study subjects: purposive sample of
75newly admitted adult critically ill patients to the above mentioned sitting was included in the
study. Data collection tools: Data were obtained through patients assessment tool, factors
contributing to HAA and indicators of HAA tool. Results: reveals that, nearly one third of
studied patients their age were more than or equal fifty years. As regard to gender, the results
revealed that, more than half of them were males, nearly one third of anemic patients had HAA in
the 5th day from admission to hospital. As well more than three quarter of anemic patients were
under feeding and more than one third of them had sepsis, in addition to mean amount of blood
loss for anemic patients exceed amount of blood loss for non anemic patients. Conclusion: More
than half of studied patients developed HAA during their ICU stay. Even, non-anemic patients
were subjected to a decline in their Hb level. As well as, there were statistically significant
relation between nutrition deficiency, sepsis, blood loss in ICU and drugs increase RBCs loss
factors and occurrence of HAA. Also there were insignificant relation between demographic
characteristic of studied patients, their diagnosis on admission to hospital, hemodilution, drugs
affect RBCs production and occurrence of HAA. Recommendations: Designing in-service
training and educational program for nurses about blood conversation strategies especially
prevention of blood loss associated invasive procedure and phlebotomy practice.