Accelerated Blood Transfusion Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Accelerated Red Cell Transfusion for Selected Patients Receiving Transfusion at Home
IRAS ID
139661
Contact name
Sharran L Grey
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
Research summary
Title: Accelerated Red Cell Transfusion for Selected Patients Receiving Blood Transfusions at Home.
Research Question: Can the transfusion of red cells over 60 minutes per unit (bag), safely bring benefit to the patient, practitioner and to organisational economics?
The study will look at whether performing a blood transfusion (of two bags of red blood cells)over 2 hours, can be achieved as safely as transfusing 2 bags over 3 hours (as is current standard practice), in carefully selected patients. The study will involve patients who receive regular blood transfusions at home or as a hospital day case. They will usually be haematology patients with blood disorders who need regular blood transfusions. Patients receiving shorter transfusions will have to meet certain medical eligibility criteria in case they have other medical problems that would mean a standard rate transfusion would be more appropriate to their condition.
By interviewing patients and practitioners and understanding their experience, the study will also look at whether the shorter treatment time has benefits for patient’s and practitioners. The study will also evaluate the impact of accelerated transfusion on service costs and capacity.
This research is being undertaken in the interests of developing the home transfusion service. The primary aim to to show that 60 minute per bag transfusions are as safe as 90 minute per bag transfusions in carefully selected patients. It is hoped that shorter treatment time will increase the capacity of the service allowing more intravenous treatments to be given at home, avoiding hospital admissions. It is also hoped that understanding both patients and practitioners experience of shorter transfusions will show personal benefits.
The study will involve clinical haematology patients under the care of consultant Haematologists at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust, and practitioners in the Bolton Community IV Team. The study is expected to last for 3 years.
REC name
North West - Preston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/NW/0229
Date of REC Opinion
1 May 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion