Cantex network launches rare in-SNF blood transfusion program with Vellum Health

A Texas-based skilled nursing operator is now offering on-site blood transfusions, becoming one of just a few providers in the nation to do so.

Cantex Continuing Care Network announced the addition of blood transfusion capabilities this week, saying it has contracted with a mobile IV delivery company to provide services when in-house monitoring determines residents are in need.

By Tuesday, three residents had already received blood products through the partnership, which launched at The Belmont at Twin Creeks in Allen, TX.

The goals of the service, delivered by Vellum Health, are to reduce hospitalizations, improve patient quality of life and, potentially, entice more referrals, Cindy Bliss, vice president of clinical operations, told McKnight’s Long-Term Care News Tuesday.

While many skilled nursing specialties are created to meet a hospital partner’s needs, Bliss said she doesn’t think the health systems Cantex works with even knew this was something nursing homes could do.

Such programs, while still rare, are increasing.

Early last year, New York state officials allowed three nursing homes operated by the McGuire Group to provide non-emergency transfusions under the care of a registered nurse being overseen by a physician. The initial model there relied on an appointment-scheduling process and included a room for transfusions complete with reclining chairs and entertainment.

Cantex launched its program in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, but it expects to roll out to additional communities as patient need dictates. Its transfusion partner works across its entire footprint, Bliss said.

Patient, staff benefits

At Cantex, staff are responsible for monitoring blood levels and lab results that can indicate a need for a transfusion. Then Vellum vascular infusion RNs are called in to provide the blood from Carter BloodCare and conduct the transfusion in a patient’s room. The bedside process takes four to five hours, Bliss said.

“We take a lot of complex patients and a lot require intermittent blood transfusions. This provides peace of mind,” Bliss said. “They don’t have to go to the hospital on a last-minute visit, where they sometimes might be for 48 to 72 hours, depending on how things are going.”

It’s unclear how many US nursing home residents receive a blood transfusion each year.

A 2010 study found 31% of Americans 65 and older had at least one transfusion within a 10-year period, with that rate climbing as high as 41% among people 85 and older. But that study didn’t look at the nursing home population specifically.

Still, with nursing homes caring for more clinically complex patients — including people with cancer, chronic liver and kidney problems, and anemia — it’s likely more of them will need blood replenishments than in years past.

Post-acute providers who are able to meet those needs will likely be attractive to acute care providers, both for easing transitions for patients with chronic or frequent blood needs and helping to limit unnecessary transfers back to the hospital. Bliss said Cantex will be measuring the success of the program by assessing how often in-house transfusions happen and identifying related reductions in hospitalizations.

In addition to those business benefits, Bliss said there’s a boost for nursing home staff, too: Needed transfusions restore patient energy quickly in a setting where recoveries are sometimes long and drawn out.

“It’s almost instant,” Bliss said. “As the blood transfusion starts, after about the first hour, the cheeks are getting a little rosy again and you can just tell they’re beginning to feel better.”

About Vellum Health
Vellum Health is the first and only platform for on-demand IV enablement and therapy that integrates advanced technology, highly trained clinicians, and mobile service delivery. Vellum’s offerings include mobile IV access (PIVs, Midlines, PICCs), on-demand IV infusions for hydration, infection, cognition, and nutrition, on-site blood transfusions, and AI-powered care coordination.

By aligning with health systems, payors, and senior care organizations, Vellum helps deliver safer, faster, and more cost-effective treatment wherever patients are. To learn more, visit vellum.health or contact info@vellum.health.

About FCA Venture Partners
FCA Venture Partners is a venture capital firm investing in companies transforming healthcare through innovative technology and services that improve patient outcomes, empower providers, lower costs, and redefine how care is delivered. FCA manages over $285 million and invests across the Series Seed to Series B stages.

FCA brings portfolio companies valuable healthcare insights, connections, and board-level experience to accelerate growth and build disruptive and sustainable businesses. Based in Nashville and Charlotte, the FCA team has a decades-long track record including more than 60 investments in the rapidly changing healthcare industry.

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