Policy Manual sample

MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. 193 ADMINISTRATION OF BLOOD COMPONENTS PURPOSE: To optimize patient safety when blood components are being administered in the home POLICY: • Candidates for home infusion of blood components should be approved for such therapy by both the attending physician and the blood bank director. • Blood components are transfused by Registered Nurses with prior transfusion experience or critical care experience (certification if required by state law/regulations). • Infusions of blood components will only be conducted by MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. during normal business hours. • We will only accept patients for infusions of red blood cells and platelets. • The first transfusion of blood components must occur in a controlled setting, i.e., hospital or outpatient setting, to evaluate the patient for any adverse reaction(s). • Patients will be accepted for infusion of blood components in the home if the following criteria is met: • Have a documented diagnosis of anemia or thrombocytopenia such as end-stage malignancies, AIDS, chronic gastrointestinal bleeding, or anemia of chronic disease • Are debilitated, chronically ill individuals who may require more frequent transfusions over longer periods of time than many hospitalized patients who require transfusions • Are homebound, making transportation to the hospital a hardship • Are cooperative, have a stable cardiopulmonary status and have acceptable venous access • A second responsible adult should be present during the transfusion and should be available following the transfusion. • Patients who have a history of moderate to severe transfusion reactions will not be accepted for the infusion of blood components by MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. • Patients in rural areas will not be accepted for the infusion of blood components by MDT Home Health Care Agency, Inc. PROCEDURE: