First Long-Term Care Facilities Approved for Blood Transfusion in New York State

The New York State Department of Health approved the provision of in-facility blood transfusions at three long-term care facilities in the state, according to news release from The McGuire Group, which operates the facilities. The three facilities are the first and only long-term care facilities in New York that are authorized to provide blood transfusions.

Transfusion services at the facilities are administered by registered nurses under the direction of a treating physician and are available to all patients and residents who meet the criteria and have a chronic or non-urgent need for a blood transfusion.

“We’re excited to be pioneering this next-level service for those in the long-term care setting,” stated Chief Nursing Officer Andrea Czora, RN, BSN. “As clinicians, we understand the disruptions associated with a trip to the hospital. Progressive initiatives such as this are part of our clinically strategic plan for reducing avoidable re-hospitalizations and unnecessary emergency room visits by treating residents in place.”

Expanding Access to Out-of-Hospital and Palliative Transfusion

Advancing Medicare coverage and payment policies that support patients’ access to transfusion medicine throughout the continuum of care is a key component of AABB’s Advocacy Agenda. Additional information about AABB’s efforts to expand access to palliative blood transfusion in long-term care and hospice settings is available online.