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Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research

Transplant centers should help patients find care after BMT

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  • Transplant centers should help patients find care after BMT

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Requiring a 24-hour caregiver blocks some patients from getting BMT 

​​​There is not much data about what happens to patients who don’t have a caregiver after transplant. But most doctors won’t provide blood or marrow transplant (BMT) to patients who don’t have a caregiver. Experts say that should change. 

BMT can cure leukemia, sickle cell disease, and other blood disorders. But, BMT can have serious effects, especially in the first few months. Patients must stay home and avoid big groups of people. That’s because patients easily catch infections in the first few months after BMT. 

Because of this, many hospitals require that patients have a 24-hour caregiver for the first 3-6 months after BMT. 

A caregiver is often a patient’s spouse or relative. However, some people don’t have a healthy spouse or relative who can care for them for 3-6 months. They may need to rely on friends or others.  

Also, many caregivers can’t afford to take 3-6 months away from work, even with the US Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides limited, unpaid support for family members.  

Most insurance plans don’t pay for 24-hour caregivers. Currently, if a patient cannot find someone to help them, they may not be able to get BMT. 

Some experts say it may be useful to shift care. Instead of having a 24-hour caregiver, patients might use other services: 

  • Part-time caregivers or home health aides can give medicines, clean the house, and call for help if a patient falls 

  • Fitness tracking bracelets can report patients’ temperature and vital signs to their doctor 

  • Online counseling services can provide emotional support 

  • Online video visits with doctors and nurses can answer patients’ minor questions 

  • Ride services can transport patients to medical visits 

  • Community services can deliver meals 

Unfortunately, health insurance does not cover some of these services. Researchers and advocates are working to support patients and caregivers. 

Keep In Mind

 

Ask Your Doctor

Transplant centers have social workers who can help patients and caregivers find local resources. Ask your doctor to connect you. 

This plain-language summary was written by Jennifer Motl at the Medical College of Wisconsin and reviewed by an author of the full article. ©2025 by CIBMTR, license CC BY-SA 4.0. 

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Source

Tweeten B, Randall J, Barata A, et al. The Caregiver Paradigm in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant: Current and Future Directions. Transplantation and Cellular Therapy. [Epub ahead of print.] Epub 2025 June 6. PMID: 40544999. doi:10.1016/j.jtct.2025.06.022. 

About This Research Summary

CIBMTR® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research®) thanks study participants. This information is provided on behalf of the Consumer Advocacy Committee of CIBMTR. CIBMTR is a research collaboration between the Medical College of Wisconsin and NMDP. 

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