A Multidisciplinary Approach to Impact Acute Care Utilization in Sickle Cell Disease. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Powell, Rhea E.; Lovett, Paris B.; Crawford, Albert; McAna, John; Axelrod, David; Ward, Lawrence; Pulte, Dianne
• Is Part Of: American journal of medical quality. Volume 33:Number 2(2018)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 131
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: health care utilization -- emergency medicine -- sickle cell disease -- multidisciplinary care -- acute pain management; Medical care -- Quality control -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Evaluation -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Utilization review -- Periodicals; Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1177/1062860617707262
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1062-8606

Abstract

Sickle cell disease (SCD), an inherited red blood cell disorder, is characterized by anemia, end-organ damage, unpredictable episodes of pain, and early mortality. Emergency department (ED) visits and hospitalizations are frequent, leading to increased burden on patients and increased health care costs. This study assessed the effects of a multidisciplinary care team intervention on acute care utilization among adults with SCD. The multidisciplinary care team intervention included monthly team meetings and development of individualized care plans. Individualized care plans included targeted pain management plans for management of uncomplicated pain crisis. Following implementation of the multidisciplinary care team intervention, a significant decrease in ED utilization was identified among those individuals with a history of high ED utilization. Findings highlight the potential strength of multidisciplinary interventions and suggest that targeting interventions toward high-utilizing subpopulations may offer the greatest impact.