[Actual Assignment of Patient Attendants for Home-Based Red Blood Cell Transfusion Therapy].

Background: This study aimed to investigate the assignment of" patient attendants"as outlined in the guidelines for home-based red blood cell transfusion therapy in Japan.

Methods: Among patients with cancer who received home-based treatment at our institution during the study period, 93 patients who underwent home-based red blood cell transfusion therapy and either died or were diagnosed in their terminal stage were included. Data were collected from medical records and analyzed retrospectively.

Results: All red blood cell transfusions were performed by medical staff at home or in residential care facilities. Family members were assigned as patient attendants for home care patients who had family members living with them. However, no attendants were assigned to home care patients living alone. For institutionalized patients, facility staff served as patient attendants. No serious adverse events occurred.

Discussion: While having patient attendants is essential for ensuring safe home-based blood transfusions, our findings suggest that the assignment of attendants depends on the patient's living situation. With an expected increase in transfusion-dependent patients who wish to receive home-based transfusions, it is crucial to develop a system that supports safe and appropriate transfusions, regardless of the patient's living environment.