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Multicenter Study
. 2013 May;21(5):1335-40.
doi: 10.1007/s00520-012-1671-9. Epub 2012 Dec 22.

A retrospective study to evaluate the time burden associated with outpatient red blood transfusions indicated for anemia due to concomitantly administered chemotherapy in cancer patients

Sanatan Shreay  1 , Marie-Pierre Desrosiers, Patricia Corey-Lisle, Krista Payne
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

A retrospective study to evaluate the time burden associated with outpatient red blood transfusions indicated for anemia due to concomitantly administered chemotherapy in cancer patients

Sanatan Shreay et al. Support Care Cancer. 2013 May.

Abstract

Purpose: Anemia in cancer patients can be treated with red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. The patient burden associated with a treatment in terms of total time spent is an important factor to consider when measuring the benefits and challenges of a therapy. This study estimates the time-related patient burden associated with outpatient RBC transfusion.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of outpatient cancer patients receiving a RBC transfusion was conducted at 10 US centers. RBC transfusion time was measured as time elapsed from pre- to post-transfusion vital sign assessment and from transfusion start to stop time. Elapsed time from hemoglobin level testing and blood draw for cross-match to transfusion, estimated travel time and distance, and clinical and demographic data were also collected.

Results: Data from 110 patients (48.2 % male; mean age 64 ± 12 years) showed that the mean elapsed time between pre- and post-vital sign assessment was 4.2 h (95 % confidence interval (CI), 3.64-4.81) including 3.6 h (95 % CI, 3.0-4.1) on average to receive the actual RBC transfusion treatment. Hemoglobin level testing (mean Hg level, 8.33 g/dL ± 0.67) and blood drawn for cross-match were completed in an average of 31.2 h (95 % CI, 17.0-45.5) and 18.2 h (95 % CI, 12.1-24.2) prior to transfusion, respectively. Patient one-way travel time averaged 30.0 min (95 % CI, 25.9-34.3).

Conclusions: In the US, CIA patients experience an important time burden when being treated with RBC transfusion in addition to the burden already added by chemotherapy.

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