Pain Management in Sickle Cell Disease Allan Platt, PA-C The Georgia Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center at Grady Health System

What is Sickle Cell Disease? l Genetic disorder of hemoglobin l Complications due to hemolysis, vessel occlusions from misshapen RBCs & adhesion, infections, organ failure, and pain episodes l Gene is common in Africa, Middle East, Mediterranean Basin, and India l Detection, education, preventive health care can save lives

Why Start a Center? l Prior to 1984 all patients seen in the ER l Erratic care, no continuity, poor pain management l Long waits for care l Many hospitalizations, Many ER visits, Many patient complaints l No comprehensive care l High Cost, High Acuity

Objectives of the Sickle Cell Center Hour Urgent Care 2. Comprehensive Primary Care 3. Multidisciplinary Team 4. Tertiary Care 5. Education 6. Research 7. Disease Management 8. Worldwide Resource

Multidisciplinary Team l PA/NP/MD as Consistent Providers l Newborn Screening Coordinator l RN/LPN as Care Managers, Teachers l SW / CNS-Psych as Support Team l Multimedia Vocational Rehabilitation l Techs/Clerical - Patient Advocates l Consultants - Eye, Nutrition, Audiology, Child Psychiatry, Physical Therapy

24 Hour Urgent Care Over 15 years old, non-pregnant, non-trauma MD-PA, RN, Clinic Assistant Model Problem Specific Clinical Guidelines Developed over 15 years Aggressive Pain and Fluid Management 8 Hours of Treatment until Admit Decision Online Information - Instant Medical Records

Treatment of Pain Episodes Step wise - multimodal approach with parenteral agents and pain assessment Evaluate to determine cause of pain Bed rest, quiet environment Hydration: IV D5W or oral Analgesics â NSAIAs - Ketorolac âAgonist Narcotics - Morphine âAgonist-Antagonist - Nalbuphine âAdjuvants - Hydroxyzine

Guidelines - Online World Wide Web Site - The Sickle Cell Information Center â âInformation for providers, patients, teachers, employers, administrators â 2 online books â19,000 hits a day â10 questions a day

10 year data ,968 pain episodes 1,076 patients over 15 years old âAverage age 36.8 years old âoldest patient 82 51% male, 49% female visits Pain Assessment using VAS Admission if: âComplication: Fever, infiltrate, hct… âReturn within 48 hours âPain not manageable after 8 hours

8 Hour Treatment - 20,968 episodes over 10 years 20% Admitted, 80% went home 3988 Admissions + 52 Left AMA + 92 Critical Care

Pain Score - Patients going home Pain-in 8.2 Pain-out 4.1

Pain Score - Patients Admitted Pain-in 8.8 Pain-out 7.7

Active Patients - Admissions

Pain Crisis - Admissions

Pain Crisis Episodes and Admissions per Active Adult Pain Episodes per active adult 3.1 Pain 0.5 Admit Case Management

Impact of Frequent Visitors vs. Active Adults

Analgesics Used in 20,968 Pain Episodes in 1,076 Adults Nubain was used in 57% of pain episodes Demerol

THE FUTURE Teach Patients and Parents Early Prevention Early Treatment Early Screening Better Education Better Pain Management Prevent Complications A cure for all