HEME Home Transfusion Program

Launched by DANA-FARBER CANCER INSTITUTE · Jul 2, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The HEME Home Transfusion Program is a research study designed to explore a new way of providing blood transfusions to patients with certain blood cancers, like leukemia and lymphoma, in the comfort of their own homes while they receive hospice care. The goal is to see if this home-based approach can improve patients' quality of life, mood, and the overall care they receive at the end of their lives compared to the usual methods of care.

To participate in this study, patients must be at least 18 years old, have a specific type of blood cancer that has come back or not responded to treatment, and have received care at a specific cancer center. They also need to have had at least one blood transfusion in the past without serious side effects. Caregivers of these patients can also take part if they are over 18. However, patients who are already in hospice care or living in a nursing home cannot join. If eligible, participants can expect to receive blood transfusions at home, which could help ease their symptoms and improve their overall experience during this challenging time.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria for Patient Participants:
• • Diagnosis of a relapsed/refractory hematologic malignancy
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• • Receipt of primary oncologic care at DFCI (at least 2 outpatient visits in 12 months prior to enrollment)
• • Has received at least one red blood cell (RBC) or platelet transfusion since blood cancer diagnosis in the clinic or hospital setting without a severe transfusion reaction
• • Patient resides within catchment served by Care Dimensions Hospice
• • Physician-estimated prognosis of six months or less
• Inclusion Criteria for Caregivers:
• • Identified informal caregiver of enrolled patient with hematologic malignancy
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• Exclusion Criteria for Patient Participants:
• • Age \< 18 years
• • Already enrolled in hospice
• • Resides in nursing home or assisted living facility
• • History of previous serious adverse transfusion reaction
• Exclusion Criteria for Caregivers:
• • -Age \< 18 years