Sickle Cell Disease Implementation Guide

The chronic and potentially debilitating nature of SCD can pose significant challenges for the inpatient management of this patient population. A multidisciplinary hospital team comprised of hospitalists, hematologists, case management, social workers, nursing, and pharmacy must work together collaboratively to improve outcomes for these patients. Patients with SCD face physical, psychosocial, and socioeconomic challenges. Chronic pain with acute painful episodes is a prominent feature of SCD and opiate therapy is a mainstay of treatment, though there is often stigma for patients with SCD who rely on opioids. Given the chronic and recurrent nature of SCD, patient-centered care plans can be used to facilitate judgment-free and efficient care. Because of the complex nature of the disease and the likelihood of readmission to the hospital, there is an opportunity to improve transitions of care for patients with SCD. The patient’s objectives should be considered to create better outcomes.   Abstract source