Abstract
Purpose
Home phlebotomy has emerged as a patient-centered alternative to in-clinic blood collection in oncology. This review aimed to evaluate its impact on quality of life, adherence, satisfaction, healthcare utilization, and clinical outcomes, while identifying implementation challenges and future research needs.
Design
A narrative review was conducted of studies published between 2009 and 2024 across PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL. Eligible studies examined adult oncology populations and assessed patient-centered outcomes, cost-effectiveness, or healthcare utilization related to home phlebotomy.
Result
Home phlebotomy consistently demonstrated improvements in patient adherence (up to 95% vs 75–80% in clinic settings), quality of life, and satisfaction, with positive effects on caregiver burden. Studies reported reductions of 20–30% in emergency department visits and 10–20% in hospital readmissions due to earlier detection of treatment-related complications (1,2). Comparative analyses suggest equivalent safety and sample integrity to traditional phlebotomy when protocols are followed (3). Emerging evidence also indicates potential economic benefits from reduced acute care utilization, though program implementation costs remain significant (4). Key challenges include regulatory oversight, reimbursement structures, workforce training, and technology integration for quality assurance and data sharing (5).
Conclusion
Home phlebotomy offers a safe and feasible alternative to clinic-based blood collection for cancer patients, with consistent evidence of benefits in adherence, satisfaction, and quality of life. While early data suggest favourable impacts on healthcare utilization and treatment continuity, broader adoption will require addressing regulatory, operational, and equity challenges. Integrating home phlebotomy into oncology care may enhance patient-centered delivery models and support decentralized clinical research.