STUDENTS: Megan Lucey, Kaléi Kowalchik, Lucy Adams

PROJECT ADVISOR: Michael M. Evans

ABSTRACT

Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is an inherited blood disorder that causes the hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells to be defective. This causes the blood cells to have shorter lifespans and block blood vessels, resulting in anemia, fatigue, inadequate blood supply, and painful vaso-occlusive crises. Affecting approximately 100,000 individuals in the United States, SCA has an estimated annual medical care cost of $1.1 billion. SCA predominately affects African Americans, with an estimated 1 out of 365 births diagnosed with the disease. People of color typically face implicit bias from healthcare providers and are viewed with a more negative attitude than other patients. In addition, people with SCA are viewed as “drug-seeking” because the disease’s treatment for the symptoms of severe pain is opioids. The intensified stigma from the rising opioid crisis results in pain not being managed properly and decreased quality of care in SCA patients. To address the complex issues surrounding treatment of SCA, a hypothetical case study is presented which describes the events of an SCA patient who was admitted to a medical-surgical unit following a vaso-occlusive crisis. A literature review was conducted using the scholarly databases CINAHL and PubMed to find the best practices for SCA patients. From the literature review, best practices included more education on SCA for healthcare professionals, utilization of alternative treatments, enhanced medical management, and better care coordination. Using this case study and recommended best practices, medical-surgical nurses can provide SCA patients with higher quality care.