The experiences of patients undergoing blood transfusion in a day hospice

Abstract

Haematology patients can have a good experience when undergoing blood transfusion at a day hospice. Hospices should perhaps offer this procedure more widely.

Patients' and health care professionals' perceptions of blood transfusion: a systematic review

“…Two studies included both patient groups . Patients were broadly classified as: 1) receiving transfusions in the context of surgery only, 2) mixed groups of transfusion recipients participating in the same study, 3) patients receiving regular transfusions every 2 to 4 weeks, or 4) patients receiving transfusions for anemia …”

“…Cross‐sectional designs were most common (Table S1). Materials were published in reports of nine studies and additional materials were received from six study authors of 24 who were contacted.…”

“…Quality appraisal ratings ranged from 45% to 100%. Nine studies scored higher than 90%, with 90% considered by review team members (BA + FL + JF) as the threshold indicating a high‐quality study. Studies detailing steps taken to analyze and verify the data received, for example, high‐quality assessment scores of more than 90% .…”

“…The majority of studies (n = 19) did not report which blood component was being investigated . Perceptions of RBC transfusion were investigated in three studies, either in isolation or compared with the alternative of “monitoring” (i.e., “managing a patient with borderline hemoglobin [Hb] by watching and waiting instead of transfusing RBCs”) .…”

“…The synthesis of the reported perceptions highlighted that patients and HCPs view transfusion with low to moderate risk, but that some perceptions of transfusion‐associated risk, or negative emotions, were associated with the use or consideration of transfusion alternatives. Some patients perceived benefit from transfusion; however, other patients found the benefit difficult to discern due to the impact of their illness . It was also reported that HCPs led the decision making about transfusion …”