The most common components transfused in the home are red blood cells and platelets. Since advanced emergency medical care should be available within a reasonable time period, patients living in rural areas are generally not appropriate candidates. A second responsible adult should be present to assist the transfusionist. If a telephone is not available in the home, the transfusionist should have access to a cellular phone. Guidelines of a Home Care Program Policies and procedures detailing all aspects of the program need to be developed.
Several sources provide detailed steps to follow and sample forms.
4-8 The American Association of Blood Banks' Standards for Blood Banks and Transfusion Services 9 provides guidelines for safe transfusion practice. Topics that should be addressed in the policies and procedures of a home transfusion program are listed in Table 2. Patients should be approved for home transfusions by both the attending physician and the blood bank director. Proper patient identification and linkage of the blood bank samples to the units of blood are critical. The application of a patient identification band at the time of sample collection is recommended.