title: Use of remote blood releasing system for red cell transfusion in hospice care center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  It is quite common to have advanced cancer or end-stage renal disease patients for regular or even frequent blood transfusion in palliative care. However, due to geographical reason in some hospice centers, blood transfusion is sometimes difficult if blood bank is closed during non-office hour or not available.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we reported a new blood releasing system, that is, remote blood releasing system, that could be used safely by nursing staff alone when the blood bank was closed during the night time and holiday.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On-call nursing staff could collect red cells successful in these two cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The new blood releasing system seems useful. However, larger sample sizes and longer period of study are required to estimate its efficacy and safety. The provision of antibody-positive red cells and platelet remained a limitation of this system.
authors.affiliation: Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Kwok Ying
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Rock Yuk Yan
authors.initials: RY
authors.lastname: Leung
authors.affiliation: Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Ka Chi
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Cheung
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Clarence
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.affiliation: Palliative Medical Unit, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Koo
authors.affiliation: Central Nursing Division, Grantham Hospital, Hong Kong.
authors.forename: Sylvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ng
keywords: Remote blood releasing system; blood releasing system; blood transfusion; palliative care