Determinants of the Outcome of the Transition of Children with Sickle Cell Disease to Adult Programs.

Transition of adolescents with sickle cell disease to adult programs is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The reasons for this poor outcome are not well known. This report describes the various factors that affect the outcome of the transition process. These include four inter-personal factors: country of residence, region within the country of residence, the health care system and intra-personal factors. Each factor is described in some detail. Understanding these factors and the establishment of guidelines or recommendations could improve the outcome of this critical transition in the life of patients with sickle cell disease.

Clinical Transformation in Care for Patients With Sickle Cell Disease at an Urban Academic Medical Center.

This article demonstrates effects on utilization of a clinical transformation: changing locus of care from a dedicated sickle cell day unit to an approach that "fast-tracks" patients through the emergency department (ED) into an observation unit with 24/7 access. Retrospective quantitative analyses of claims and Epic electronic medical record data for patients with sickle cell disease treated at Thomas Jefferson University (inpatient and ED) assessed effects of the clinical transformation. Additionally, case studies were conducted to confirm and deepen the quantitative analyses. This study was approved by the Thomas Jefferson University Institutional Review Board. The quantitative analyses show significant decreases in ED and inpatient utilization following the transformation. These effects likely were facilitated by increased observation stays. This study demonstrated the impact on utilization of transformation in care (from dedicated day unit to an approach that fast-tracks patients into an observation unit). Additional case studies support the quantitative findings.