Establishing a rural and remote apheresis service in Western New South Wales: the Orange Hospital experience.

Abstract

Traditionally, patients requiring therapeutic apheresis from rural and remote areas have been compelled to seek treatment at metropolitan hospitals, at great social and economic cost to the patient and the health service, or to receive in-patient apheresis in local intensive care units using renal replacement therapy machines. We outline our experience establishing an apheresis service in Western New South Wales. Our experience demonstrates that a clinically and economically viable apheresis service in the rural setting can be established.