SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-A Qualitative Study Exploring Ideal Inpatient Sickle Cell Care

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This phenomenological qualitative study from the University of Rochester Medical Center explored what makes ideal inpatient care for vaso-occlusive episodes (VOEs) in adults with sickle cell disease (SCD). Researchers used semi-structured interviews and focus groups with 33 participants, including adults with SCD and inpatient healthcare stakeholders from a university hospital, community hospital, and outpatient sickle cell center. The interview guides were based on the Health Equity Implementation Framework and the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety model.

Analysis identified five major categories that define high-quality inpatient VOE care and show that improvement requires investment in system infrastructure. Key themes included:

- <strong>Comprehensive care across settings:</strong> Care should extend beyond treating pain to address contributing social and medical factors such as food insecurity, dehydration, and mental health needs.
- <strong>Structural competency:</strong> Clinicians must recognize and address racism, bias, and the historical mistreatment of Black patients with SCD, which can affect pain assessment and treatment decisions.
- <strong>Infrastructure for quality SCD care:</strong> Hospitals need streamlined communication, direct admissions, specialized units or workflows, and better access to equipment and resources like PCA pumps.
- <strong>Education for clinicians:</strong> Many providers feel underprepared to care for patients with SCD, highlighting the need for ongoing training and increased comfort with VOE management.
- <strong>Patient-centered care:</strong> Patients valued respectful, responsive care that included listening, asking what works, and involving the patient in treatment decisions.

Overall, the study suggests that ideal inpatient VOE care depends not only on clinician behavior but also on broader hospital systems, training, and equitable, patient-centered processes.

Asset Subtitle

Lalita Movva

Meta Tag

Author List Alejandro Vera, Alia Khamis, Ashley Jenkins, Francis W. Coyne, Kevin Fiscella, Lalita Movva, Regina Dennis, Reza Yousefi-Nooraie, Sharee Turpin

Category Research

Concept Vaso-occlusive Pain

Concept Sickle Cell Disease

Concept Inpatient Care

Concept Pain Crisis

Concept Equitable Care

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization University of Rochester

Presenting Author Lalita Movva

Track Other

Keywords

sickle cell disease

vaso-occlusive episodes

inpatient care

patient-centered care

health equity

structural competency

hospital infrastructure

pain management

qualitative study

clinician education

Vaso-occlusive Pain

Sickle Cell Disease

Inpatient Care

Pain Crisis

Equitable Care