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Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)
20:38

Isolation and Transplantation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells (HSCs)

Published on: February 25, 2007

Home care for children following haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

M Miano1, L Manfredini, A Garaventa

  • 1Department of Pediatric Haematology and Oncology, G Gaslini Children's Hospital, Genova, Italy.

Bone Marrow Transplantation
|April 15, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Home care (HC) for children undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is feasible and effective. This approach reduces patient discomfort and significantly lowers healthcare costs compared to traditional hospitalisation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Home Healthcare

Background:

  • Long hospitalizations for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) negatively impact pediatric patients' quality of life.
  • Complications following HSCT often necessitate extended inpatient stays, increasing patient and family burden.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and cost-effectiveness of a home care (HC) program for pediatric patients post-HSCT.
  • To assess the impact of early discharge and home-based care on patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 28 children (29 HSCTs) was enrolled in a pediatric home care program.
  • Care included hematologic follow-up, supportive therapy, graft-versus-host disease monitoring, and cytomegalovirus infection management.
  • Services involved 1232 IV therapies, 501 blood tests, 58 transfusions, and 107 central venous catheter procedures at home.

Main Results:

  • Home care provided a median of 25 days of assistance per child, replacing 459 outpatient and 363 inpatient hospital days.
  • The average cost per patient in the HC program was EUR 4,252, significantly lower than the EUR 14,693 for inpatient care (P<0.01).
  • Home care successfully managed post-HSCT complications, including supportive care and infections.

Conclusions:

  • Home care is a viable and beneficial model for pediatric patients after HSCT.
  • Early discharge to home care reduces patient and family discomfort.
  • The home care model offers substantial cost savings compared to prolonged hospitalizations.

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